Oxygen Tank Explosion in Bangkok Kills One and Wrecks House

[webfact]

 

An explosion from an oxygen tank tragically claimed the life of a young man, causing extensive damage to a two-storey house and instilling fear among residents in the Nong Khang Phlu area of Bangkok.

 

Police were alerted at around noon yesterday to an explosion in Soi Phetkasem 77/8, Nong Khang Phlu, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok. Upon reaching the scene, officers, including forensic teams and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, discovered the catastrophic aftermath.

 

The explosion site was a two-storey house operating as an oxygen tank wholesale business. The ground floor stored oxygen tanks. A pickup truck loaded with over ten oxygen tanks parked in front bore the brunt of the explosion, scattering debris and causing significant damage to the house and its awning.

 

Near the rear of the pickup, the body of 30-year-old Pantit was found. Pantit, a daily wage worker from Maha Sarakham Province, was critically injured, with his body torn in half. He was still alive and responsive upon discovery but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

 

 

The business owner revealed that their operation involved collecting, storing, refilling, and delivering oxygen tanks for industrial use. The explosion occurred while workers were unloading empty tanks from the pickup. The cause remains unknown, though residual oxygen might have played a role.

 

Mana Khenpak from the Boonwipha 11 base reported that local witnesses saw Pantit handling the tanks when one hit the ground, triggering the explosion.

 

A neighbour recounted hearing the explosion around 11am, which shook their house, prompting an immediate evacuation. They mentioned that the oxygen storage business had been operating for over ten years, always with concerns about safety.

 

Sakaowduen Phuttharom, a volunteer from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, described the rescue efforts. Despite urgent attempts to resuscitate Pantit, they couldn't save him.

 

Investigators plan to question those involved and send the body for an autopsy at Siriraj Hospital’s forensic department to determine the exact cause of death before releasing it to the family for religious rites.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: Facebook

 

-- 2024-05-24

 

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[Korat Kiwi]

A bit meaty in their description... I can't see how an empty cylinder would have exploded. 

 

 

Near the rear of the pickup, the body of 30-year-old Pantit was found. Pantit, a daily wage worker from Maha Sarakham Province, was critically injured, with his body torn in half. He was still alive and responsive upon discovery but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.

 

I

[KhunBENQ]

52 minutes ago, webfact said:

send the body for an autopsy at Siriraj Hospital’s forensic department to determine the exact cause of death

"body torn in half" as the article says 🤯

Wonder what an exact cause is here.

[Georgealbert]

The worker had his legs and other parts blown apart by the cylinder, he is seen just breathing as rescue workers attempt to help him, The picture below shows covered body parts, white sheets and where responders attempted to save him is under the orange umbrella
 

It is now also been reported that this involved an acetylene cylinder, which seems more likely as acetylene is a lot more unstable and the area was closed down for most of the day.
 

This had the potential for a lot more damage and think the neighbouring properties were lucky, as the building had no permission to operate and 71 cylinders were found.

 

37 oxygen, 16 carbon dioxide and 18 acetylene.

 

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/340314

 

Apologies if anyone finds the pictures upsetting.

Edited May 24 by Georgealbert

[Korat Kiwi]

16 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

The worker had his legs and other parts blown apart by the cylinder, he is seen just breathing as rescue workers attempt to help him, The picture below shows covered body parts, white sheets and where responders attempted to save him is under the orange umbrella
 

It is now also been reported that this involved an acetylene cylinder, which seems more likely as acetylene is a lot more unstable and the area was closed down for most of the day.
 

This had the potential for a lot more damage and think the neighbouring properties were lucky, as the building had no permission to operate and 71 cylinders were found.

 

37 oxygen, 16 carbon dioxide and 18 acetylene.

 

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/340314

 

Apologies if anyone finds the pictures upsetting.

Wow yes that would explain it. 

 

Oxy acetylene used in welding. As you stated acetylene can be very unstable.  Very flammable.  

 

Many years ago back in NZ, I was cleaning up my father's workshop.  He had two 6ft tall cylinders one of each gas.   I remember dad telling me to be careful with them as he said acetylene was unstable. 

 

I was about 12yrs old.  These cylinders were in a trolley that had tiny wheels.  During the clean up I decided to move them.  Hell they were heavy. 

 

I managed to get a few feet away from the original position when a wheel got stuck on old bolt or something.  It became too much to hold and I knew it was going to fall. 

 

I have never run so fast in my life!  I made it out of the shed before I heard the bottles/cylinders hit the concrete floor.  And I didn't go back for a least half an hour. 

 

It took some doing to pick those bottles back up.  Never told my dad about that.  Scared the living crap outta me. 

 

I expect this explosion goes to show how lethal this stuff can be. 

 

Poor bugger was just doing his job, unfortunately safety isn't always priority here in Thailand. 

[Georgealbert]

14 minutes ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Wow yes that would explain it. 

 

Oxy acetylene used in welding. As you stated acetylene can be very unstable.  Very flammable.  

 

Many years ago back in NZ, I was cleaning up my father's workshop.  He had two 6ft tall cylinders one of each gas.   I remember dad telling me to be careful with them as he said acetylene was unstable. 

 

I was about 12yrs old.  These cylinders were in a trolley that had tiny wheels.  During the clean up I decided to move them.  Hell they were heavy. 

 

I managed to get a few feet away from the original position when a wheel got stuck on old bolt or something.  It became too much to hold and I knew it was going to fall. 

 

I have never run so fast in my life!  I made it out of the shed before I heard the bottles/cylinders hit the concrete floor.  And I didn't go back for a least half an hour. 

 

It took some doing to pick those bottles back up.  Never told my dad about that.  Scared the living crap outta me. 

 

I expect this explosion goes to show how lethal this stuff can be. 

 

Poor bugger was just doing his job, unfortunately safety isn't always priority here in Thailand. 

Fully agree, below is the ERG (emergency response book), for hazmat response.

 

In the Uk procedures in the past was to evacuate the area for 24 hours if any acetylene cylinder had been exposed to fire.

 

Dangerous and very volatile.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Sadly yet another Thai business operating without due care and following 'proper' procedures - and apparently with no authorised registraton and no staff training. I see it so often - some Thai operating a 'workshop' in a little townhouse in the middle of a residential area.  As we leave the village I often see across the road a Thai 'tradesman' working on metal stuff outside on the concrete floor - cutting, welding and hammering etc etc. - unbelievable, but I see it everywhere in Thailand. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The business owner revealed that their operation involved collecting, storing, refilling, and delivering oxygen tanks for industrial use. The explosion occurred while workers were unloading empty tanks from the pickup. The cause remains unknown, though residual oxygen might have played a role

Genius... I'm sure all safety protocols for handling, cleaning and re-filling oxygen tanks were followed to the letter.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Sadly yet another Thai business operating without due care and following 'proper' procedures - and apparently with no authorised registraton and no staff training. I see it so often - some Thai operating a 'workshop' in a little townhouse in the middle of a residential area.  As we leave the village I often see across the road a Thai 'tradesman' working on metal stuff outside on the concrete floor - cutting, welding and hammering etc etc. - unbelievable, but I see it everywhere in Thailand. 

TiT... 

[Georgealbert]

1 hour ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Sadly yet another Thai business operating without due care and following 'proper' procedures - and apparently with no authorised registraton and no staff training. I see it so often - some Thai operating a 'workshop' in a little townhouse in the middle of a residential area.  As we leave the village I often see across the road a Thai 'tradesman' working on metal stuff outside on the concrete floor - cutting, welding and hammering etc etc. - unbelievable, but I see it everywhere in Thailand. 

Fully agree, but the problem is the acetylene is one of the most widely used gases worldwide, for welding and cutting.

 

Acetylene is highly flammable and unstable, with the cylinders having acetone added to help stabilise the gas. The cylinders need to be stored correctly, as it is sensitive to heat, including direct sun light, and mechanical shock, such as being dropped or hit.

 

If exposed to heat or mechanical shock, the acetylene can start to decompose and self heat. Once decomposition has started it is near impossible to stop without taking emergency actions, and will continue until the high pressures produced will cause the cylinder to explode.
 

Emergency responders procedures are to submerse the cylinder fully in water to cool it and evacuate the area, then checking the temperature of the cylinder, which is best done using TIC (thermal imaging camera), until is cooled down, showing the decomposition had been stopped.

[PETERTHEEATER]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The business owner revealed that their operation involved collecting, storing, refilling, and delivering oxygen tanks for industrial use

Really? Please explain the source of the oxygen used for 'refilling'. Large cylinders to smaller cylinders perhaps?

[CM Dad]

2 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Sadly yet another Thai business operating without due care and following 'proper' procedures - and apparently with no authorised registraton and no staff training. I see it so often - some Thai operating a 'workshop' in a little townhouse in the middle of a residential area.  As we leave the village I often see across the road a Thai 'tradesman' working on metal stuff outside on the concrete floor - cutting, welding and hammering etc etc. - unbelievable, but I see it everywhere in Thailand. 

Thailand desperately needs zoning rules that are strictly enforced.  Businesses such as this should never be allowed in areas zoned as residential.

[Georgealbert]

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Really? Please explain the source of the oxygen used for 'refilling'. Large cylinders to smaller cylinders perhaps?

I would suggest 4 possible ways;

 

1. Was only collecting empty cylinder, taking to supplier and returning full cyinders.

 

2. Oxygen booster pump, decanting from larger cylinders to small.

 

3. Oxygen compressor, making the O2 from the air, but thst would seem unsuitable for this business, due to time taken and costs.

 

4. Large oxygen tank, liquid or gas, but there is no evidence in the pictures or videos of this.

 

The only reasons I can think that a oxygen cylinder would explode like this, is long exposure to fire, very badly corroded/damaged cylinder or contamination with oil and grease.The second news report suggested it was an acetylene cylinder, which would seem a lot more feasible..

 

Edited May 24 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

40 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

Thailand desperately needs zoning rules that are strictly enforced.  Businesses such as this should never be allowed in areas zoned as residential.

Fully agree about the poor zoning and lack of regulations, and awareness of safety issues is lacking.
 

Please remember also that this risk can be found worldwide in any home garage or work shop, where someone does a bit of welding. This was a single cylinder that exploded and caused the damage and harm.

[Georgealbert]

Today, all remaining cylinders were removed from the building, under the supervision of the local authorities and fire service. An expert at the scene confirmed that the explosion was from an acetylene cylinder.

 

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/340344

 

Edited May 24 by Georgealbert

[TroubleandGrumpy]

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Fully agree, but the problem is the acetylene is one of the most widely used gases worldwide, for welding and cutting.

 

Acetylene is highly flammable and unstable, with the cylinders having acetone added to help stabilise the gas. The cylinders need to be stored correctly, as it is sensitive to heat, including direct sun light, and mechanical shock, such as being dropped or hit.

 

If exposed to heat or mechanical shock, the acetylene can start to decompose and self heat. Once decomposition has started it is near impossible to stop without taking emergency actions, and will continue until the high pressures produced will cause the cylinder to explode.
 

Emergency responders procedures are to submerse the cylinder fully in water to cool it and evacuate the area, then checking the temperature of the cylinder, which is best done using TIC (thermal imaging camera), until is cooled down, showing the decomposition had been stopped.

Thanks for that explanation - I did know a little bit about it, but that gives me all the details.

I woud bet 90+% of 'tradesmen' in Thailand using welding tanks with acetalyne in them have no idea what you just explained.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

20 hours ago, CM Dad said:

Thailand desperately needs zoning rules that are strictly enforced.  Businesses such as this should never be allowed in areas zoned as residential.

I would not be surprised to see that there are some sort of rules regarding where such a business can operate - but as we all know it is the 'policing' of the rules that is lacking in Thailand.  Apparently the place was not registered or the opewrator licenced - probably because it and he would not have been approved.  

[Woof999]

Once again, I can't help but admire the rescue workers here. They work for little or nothing and must see the most horrendous scenes imaginable.

[Georgealbert]

15 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks for that explanation - I did know a little bit about it, but that gives me all the details.

I woud bet 90+% of 'tradesmen' in Thailand using welding tanks with acetalyne in them have no idea what you just explained.

Yes I am sure most are unaware of the risks, but that is not just limited to Thailand.
 

I have been amazed how many poorly maintained and badly corroded cylinders I have seen being used, even by large international companies, who’s warehouse/logistic staff just accept anything that a local supplier delivers. The strength and integrity of such cylinders has to be questioned, which this accident appears to be an example of.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

5 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Yes I am sure most are unaware of the risks, but that is not just limited to Thailand.
 

I have been amazed how many poorly maintained and badly corroded cylinders I have seen being used, even by large international companies, who’s warehouse/logistic staff just accept anything that a local supplier delivers. The strength and integrity of such cylinders has to be questioned, which this accident appears to be an example of.

I have noticed the same here when it comes to gas cyclinders for cooking. The house we currently rent did not have a gas bottle so we had to get a new one. When at the 'gas bottle shop' in a shopping district but amongst other townhouses (shop down, bedrooms up), they had brand new units for sale. It took me ages to get the wife to ask the right questions - but in the end I established that they did not refill bottle, but would take it back when empty and then give another one (used) already filled. I saw the old ones and they were all very old - some over 10 years by the stamp. When I selected a 5 year old one and asked how much for this one, it was the same price as the brand new one. That created a whole new series of communications 'lost in translation', so in the end I bought ther new bottle and in the car I said to the wife - where can we get this gas bottle filled when it is empty - she said 'at the gas garage'.  So I got a full new bottle and we take it to the 'gas garage' about once every 6 months 🙂 

[Georgealbert]

Deleted as posted same post twice.

Edited May 25 by Georgealbert

[Georgealbert]

3 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I would not be surprised to see that there are some sort of rules regarding where such a business can operate - but as we all know it is the 'policing' of the rules that is lacking in Thailand.  Apparently the place was not registered or the opewrator licenced - probably because it and he would not have been approved.  

Seems this business was not illegal because of a loop hole in the current laws.

“Standards Specialist Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Ministry of Industry, said that once a business that has notified the TISI, then officials will go in and inspect, the business model, safety measures for workers and surrounding area, and then do re inspections every 5 years.

 

if an operator does not inform the TISI, It is not considered illegal, because the request for permission to operate is only voluntary, so does not get inspected.

 

This point has become a legal loophole. Allowing small businesses to operate without considering safety and then non-standard cylinders in a dilapidated condition can be reused.

 

The TISI still does not have the power or tools to bring enforcement action against businesses like this, and are unable to verify how many business establishments are considered to pose a risk to the community and their surrounding areas."

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/340368

[Korat Kiwi]

Bloody hell,  so the rules are very loose.  No wonder these 'accidents' occur. 

 

But in saying that, back home we used to have a standard for lpg cylinders (not unlike the gas cylinders we use here for cooking). 

 

It revolved around manufacturers date and after a certain time you had to get the cylinder pressure tested and re-stamped with the test date. 

 

If your cylinder wasn't current then nobody would fill it. Then it all changed.  No more refilling.  It became swap a cylinder. 

 

And responsibility for testing lay with the provider.  No more did the consumer have to worry/pay for testing.  Damn good too. 

 

However NZ is in the process of ceasing use of lpg.  Gas stoves are on the way out.  Price of gas is increasing.  Personally it's a sad state of affairs but the government is too busy trying to appease all the tree hugging voters! (Greenies) 

 

 

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Seems this business was not illegal because of a loop hole in the current laws.

“Standards Specialist Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), Ministry of Industry, said that once a business that has notified the TISI, then officials will go in and inspect, the business model, safety measures for workers and surrounding area, and then do re inspections every 5 years.

 

if an operator does not inform the TISI, It is not considered illegal, because the request for permission to operate is only voluntary, so does not get inspected.

 

This point has become a legal loophole. Allowing small businesses to operate without considering safety and then non-standard cylinders in a dilapidated condition can be reused.

 

The TISI still does not have the power or tools to bring enforcement action against businesses like this, and are unable to verify how many business establishments are considered to pose a risk to the community and their surrounding areas."

https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/340368

Wow - that does not surprise me - but it reminds me that everything here in Thailand is a risk that needs to be managed. 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, Korat Kiwi said:

Bloody hell,  so the rules are very loose.  No wonder these 'accidents' occur. 

But in saying that, back home we used to have a standard for lpg cylinders (not unlike the gas cylinders we use here for cooking). 

It revolved around manufacturers date and after a certain time you had to get the cylinder pressure tested and re-stamped with the test date. 

If your cylinder wasn't current then nobody would fill it. Then it all changed.  No more refilling.  It became swap a cylinder. 

And responsibility for testing lay with the provider.  No more did the consumer have to worry/pay for testing.  Damn good too. 

However NZ is in the process of ceasing use of lpg.  Gas stoves are on the way out.  Price of gas is increasing.  Personally it's a sad state of affairs but the government is too busy trying to appease all the tree hugging voters! (Greenies) 

That is just one of the many many reasons why so many blokes have left Aust/NZ (like I did) and moved to Thailand. Lefty leaning Govts (both sides) have made things Woke and PC since 1980s - and they aint gonna stop any year soon.  It is dangerous here and it is a bit 'wild west' but I for one really like that 'freedom'.  I would like certain things to be more controlled and regualted, but as we know from experience - when the lefties start controlling things they never stop and they always screw it all up. 

 

[Korat Kiwi]

46 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

That is just one of the many many reasons why so many blokes have left Aust/NZ (like I did) and moved to Thailand. Lefty leaning Govts (both sides) have made things Woke and PC since 1980s - and they aint gonna stop any year soon.  It is dangerous here and it is a bit 'wild west' but I for one really like that 'freedom'.  I would like certain things to be more controlled and regualted, but as we know from experience - when the lefties start controlling things they never stop and they always screw it all up. 

 

NZ is a great place to visit.  Bloody expensive but reasonably clean and tidy. 

 

It seems as if the minority now control the country to the detriment of everyone else. The me too movement hasnt really helped those with a legitimate claim.  Just more dole budging arse wipes who try and jump onto the band wagon for a free pay out... And often succeed. 

 

Luckily it ain't as bad as the UK but it's moving in that direction. 

 

I had more of a culture shock returning to NZ when working in the Middle East.  It's not the place I grew up in.  It's gone backwards. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Business was operating in a residential area.

Didn't need to inform the authorities they were operating, and even if they did, would anything change?

Guaranteed, that there was no risk assessment performed for their activities.

Would be interesting to know if they were inspecting and testing their bottles, some of those in photos look old and corroded.

Untrained and underpaid staff, probably working too long hours per day and per week.

Lack of basic health and safety training for the staff. Probably not competent to handle these cylinders (refilling, manual handling, moving loads, dangerous goods etc.) either.

Using unsuitable, poorly maintained and likely modified and overloaded vehicles for transporting dangerous goods.

Etc.

 

If this had happened in the UK, expect big fines and criminal prosecution for the business owner.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

10 hours ago, Korat Kiwi said:

NZ is a great place to visit.  Bloody expensive but reasonably clean and tidy. 

It seems as if the minority now control the country to the detriment of everyone else. The me too movement hasnt really helped those with a legitimate claim.  Just more dole budging arse wipes who try and jump onto the band wagon for a free pay out... And often succeed. 

Luckily it ain't as bad as the UK but it's moving in that direction. 

I had more of a culture shock returning to NZ when working in the Middle East.  It's not the place I grew up in.  It's gone backwards. 

I hear you - had 2 mates when living in QLD Australia that were from NZ - they both hated NZ as compared to what it was decades ago.  We lived in Thailand for almost 4 years and then we lived in Australia for another 4 years waiting for Pension and Wife's Citizenship. The changes I observed just in that short period away were astounding and all bad. While there the women's word cup was held in Aust and it was just ridiculous all the PC and Woke khrappp about it all. The thing is that the majority of people would roll their eyes, but no one was 'allowed' to speak out about all the BS - because anyone that did was called Bigot, Sexist, Misogynist, etc.  I was so glad to leave and come back to Thailand - faults and all - I hope they never fall for all the Woke PC khrapp that a minority has imposed upon the majority in the west.