Thai woman seeks justice after lantern sets her car ablaze

[snoop1130]

Photo by Saowaluck Jainak

 

By Petch Petpailin

 

A lantern released on New Year’s Day landed on a parked car at a house in the northern province of Phayao and set the vehicle ablaze. The car owner is now struggling to find those responsible for her loss.

 

A witness, Sophon Panyod, rushed to alert his neighbour, 35 year old Saowaluck Jainak, after spotting a fire on the roof of Saowaluck’s garage and her car at around 12.30am yesterday, December 2. Saowaluck immediately called rescuers and firefighters to contain the fire.

 

Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze within 20 minutes, but the white Suzuki hatchback was completely destroyed. Upon inspection, Saowaluck discovered a burnt lantern at the scene, which was suspected to be the cause of the incident.

 

Sophon told ThaiRath that he and his daughter were driving past Saowaluck’s home when they noticed that her garage roof, made of a shading net, was on fire. The flames quickly spread to Saowaluck’s car, prompting him to wake her and her husband.

 

Saowaluck later reported the incident to Chiang Kham Police Station. She issued a statement urging people to reconsider releasing lanterns, saying…

 

 

“Believe me, it is not true that floating lanterns help you let go of bad luck. I was just sleeping at home, doing nothing, and yet bad luck came knocking on my door.”

 

A member of the firefighting team, Sawawut Gatip, stated that it was fortunate the vehicle did not explode. If it had, Saowaluck’s home and nearby residences could have been destroyed, potentially resulting in fatalities.

 

Floating lanterns are a traditional practice often observed by Thais during New Year celebrations. However, they are now banned in many areas of the country due to the numerous fire-related incidents.

 

Despite this, many people ignore the risks and the regulations, releasing lanterns merely for the sake of capturing beautiful photographs.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-01-03

 

[hotchilli]

A practice that has many downsides to it.... last year a friend had one land in the back of his pick-up at an event.

Luckily friends saw it and removed it before any damage occurred.

[Asquith Production]

What can go wrong by sending a ball of fire into the air!!!!!!!

[Denim]

Third party , fire and theft comes to mind.

 

Her insurance should cover the damage caused by the moron who sent the lantern up.

[soalbundy]

The new year started well for her then.

[steven100]

she should use Thai logic and consider it good luck,   then she won't feel so bad ... 

[Watawattana]

Sending a lantern up in Phayao is just as crazy as sending a firework up in Pattaya.  Won't ever stop though.

[Xonax]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

they noticed that her garage roof, made of a shading net, was on fire

Maybe next time she will opt to buy a non-flammable shading net. The lantern alone would probably not have been able to set the car on fire, but the flaming shading net did. 

[Rampant Rabbit]

Just blame it  on the nearest foreigner, must be at least one nearby I mean weve been told 3  times not to cut  down trees  up the hill by some Thai <deleted> and theyve sent out the SAS to see us.............each tim e theyve  foun d nothing yet the <deleted>wits  still turn up........ look at em, bunch of retards

[ronster]

Ask a Japanese tourist 😂

[CallumWK]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

Third party , fire and theft comes to mind.

 

Her insurance should cover the damage caused by the moron who sent the lantern up.

 

Not everyone has first class insurance

[scorecard]

If there was a claim the insurance company would very likely respond: 'Where does the policy say New Years Lanterns' ?

[Denim]

32 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Not everyone has first class insurance

 

First class insurance is known as fully comprehensive cover.

 

For people who can't afford that or for those that own cars older than 10 years there is third party fire and theft .

 

 The 10 year old rule is one of the insurance companies requirements , not a written law.

 

With third party in Thailand it is the car that is insured not the driver so anyone can drive it. In the event of an accident the policy holder usually gets nothing. Only the thitd party is covered..

[billd766]

2 hours ago, Xonax said:

Maybe next time she will opt to buy a non-flammable shading net. The lantern alone would probably not have been able to set the car on fire, but the flaming shading net did. 

Good idea.

 

Just blame the victim even though it was not her fault, but the fault of the idiot who sent the lantern aloft without thinking about the damage it can do.

[Dexxter]

6 hours ago, steven100 said:

she should use Thai logic and consider it good luck,   then she won't feel so bad ... 

 

She could have decided to drive in the car the following day and be involved in a fatal crash. So it's very lucky for her the car was destroyed and saved her life.