Panic at Fish Pond in Ratchaburi as Mortar Discovered During Water Draining

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

What began as a routine day of fish farming turned into a scene of panic after a suspected bomb was discovered at a fish pond in Bang Phae District,  Ratchaburion, on the evening of 20 April.

At around 18:30, Mr Pramote Unkasem, village headman of Moo 6, Pho Hak Subdistrict, alerted local police after being informed of a suspicious object found in a fish pond. The object was discovered at a gourami fish pond in Moo 6, where workers had been draining water to catch fish for sale.

Upon inspection, authorities found an object resembling a large, unexploded ordnance, approximately 37 centimetres in length, shaped like a traditional mortar shell. The item appeared to be in new condition, showing no signs of previous detonation. Officers immediately cordoned off the area and placed a rubber tyre over the device to minimise the risk of accidental explosion while waiting for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to arrive and safely remove it.

The pond’s owner, 68-year-old Mr Wallop Chaiwatana, explained that he had leased the six-rai pond two years ago to farm gourami fish. Earlier that day, he had instructed his workers to pump out water to begin harvesting the fish. It was during this process that one of the workers noticed a strange object and placed it by the roadside near the pond.

“At first, I thought it was just a piece of motorbike exhaust,” said Mr Wallop. “But my nephew insisted it looked suspicious and called the authorities. Turns out it was a bomb.”

It is believed that the device had been buried near the pond’s edge, possibly during land reclamation by a previous owner. Over time, soil erosion caused the device to slip into the pond, where it remained hidden until the water was drained.

The incident sparked fear among workers and prospective fish buyers, with many now hesitant to approach the pond, unsure whether more explosives may lie beneath the surface. As a precaution, Mr Wallop has ordered the pond to be refilled with water to prevent the fish from dying while authorities conduct further investigations.

Officials are now working to determine whether additional ordnance remains in the area, with safety checks expected to continue in the coming days.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon.

-- 2025-04-22