Picture courtesy of Khoasod

 

A powerful explosion from a firework blast shook a residential area in Suphan Buri province late morning on 30 July, causing widespread panic and injuring several residents. The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 in Ban Pho Thasai, Ban Pho Subdistrict, Mueang District.

 

Eyewitnesses reported a deafening blast followed by a thick plume of smoke rising above the rooftops. Several homes were reportedly damaged or flattened by the force of the explosion. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation.

 

Emergency response teams, including officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Suphan Buri Provincial Police Investigation Division, rushed to the scene. Rescue volunteers from the Semakan Rescue Foundation and neighbouring disaster relief units have been deployed to assist with evacuations and to provide medical aid to the injured.

 

As of now, authorities have not confirmed the total number of casualties. Local rescue teams are continuing to assess the scene

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-30

 

 

 

UPDATE
Nine Killed in Fireworks Explosion in Suphan Buri – More Feared Missing

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A deadly explosion occurredon on 30 July in Suphan Buri province, central Thailand, killing at least nine people and seriously injuring two others. Authorities are urgently searching for additional victims believed to be missing in the aftermath.

 

The blast took place around 11:00 in Ban Pho Subdistrict, Mueang District. According to initial reports, the explosion is believed to have originated from a house suspected of illegally manufacturing small fireworks known locally as plu look nok.

 

Emergency response teams, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Suphan Buri Provincial Police and local disaster relief volunteers, swiftly arrived at the scene. Upon inspection, they discovered the bodies of nine individuals, some found inside the ruined house and others scattered across nearby rice fields.

 

Two more people were reported to be in critical condition and were receiving emergency medical care.

 

In addition to the tragic loss of life, two homes in the vicinity suffered significant structural damage. Smoke and intermittent flames continued to rise from the wreckage hours after the initial explosion, hampering rescue efforts.

 

Local residents told reporters that the house involved may have been operating an illegal fireworks production operation. Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the explosion, but an investigation is underway.

 

Officials are continuing search-and-rescue operations and are urging members of the public to stay clear of the area.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those bloody amulets.

UPDATE
Ten Dead, One Seriously Injured in Fireworks Factory Explosion in Suphan Buri

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A suspected illegal fireworks factory explosion in Suphan Buri has claimed ten lives and left one person seriously injured, in one of Thailand’s deadliest recent industrial incidents. The blast ripped through two homes and destroyed a car in Moo 1, Ban Pho Tha Sai, in Mueang District, just before midday.

 

Police Colonel Wanchai Khaoramai, Superintendent of Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station, confirmed that the explosion occurred at a residence allegedly being used to produce bird-scaring fireworks. The site was immediately sealed off as bomb disposal teams (EOD), forensic units and local rescue foundations dealt with the scene.

 

 

Nine people were pronounced dead at the site, while a tenth victim later succumbed to injuries in hospital. Another remains in critical condition. Authorities discovered significant quantities of leftover gunpowder still smouldering at the scene. Two large blackened craters were found near the blast site, believed to be caused by the explosion’s epicentre.

 

The explosion levelled two houses and damaged at least one vehicle. Rescue workers described the scene as devastating, with body parts strewn across the surrounding area.

 

Local residents reported that the house had been operating covertly as a production site for fireworks used to scare birds from crops. Police later confirmed that the location was unlicensed.

 

A tearful woman, identified only as Ms A, told reporters her mother had been working at the site for only two days, having previously worked in a watermelon field. She has been unable to contact her mother since the explosion and is praying for her survival.

 

At 13:20, Police Major General Watcharin Prasopdee, Chief of Suphan Buri Provincial Police, confirmed the current death toll of ten. A command centre has now been established at Wat Pho Tha Sai to coordinate relief and recovery efforts for victims’ families and displaced residents.

 

EOD units are actively working to remove remaining gunpowder stockpiles and forensic officers have begun a detailed investigation to determine the cause and legal implications of the incident.

 

The investigation continues, and the full scale of the tragedy is still being assessed. Support is being provided to the victims’ families, and further details are expected as forensic teams complete their examination of the site.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-30

 

 

 

An explosion of that magnitude must have scared the crapper out of  any (surviving) birds in the area.

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Condolences to the families.

Suphanburi....hub of exploding fireworks factories. This has happened several times in that area and almost always by an illegal operation. The locals know what is going on yet nothing is done about it, madness.

Definition of stupidity: Inability to learn anything new.

16 hours ago, bdenner said:

Condolences to the families.

Condolences to the innocent victims, to those who were illegally making fireworks I hoped you enjoyed the ride to the next life.

Someone decided it was time for a cigarette break. There are some really thick people around. RIP the innocent workers.

17 hours ago, bdenner said:

An explosion of that magnitude must have scared the crapper out of  any (surviving) birds in the area.

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Condolences to the families.

Sorry but I can't help myself being ex military. Rip to those whi lost their lives, just to make a few baht and a speedy recovery to all injured (sad they won't be properly compensated). And finally humer is the best medicine. Your bird comment was funny!!!

2 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Suphanburi....hub of exploding fireworks factories. This has happened several times in that area and almost always by an illegal operation. The locals know what is going on yet nothing is done about it, madness.

Cambodia has become redundant.

 Britain introduced comprehensive Health and Safety Act in 1975 under Labour PM  Harold Wilson that has cut work accidents massively over last 50 yrs. Suggest Thailand work to do same. It of course the low income manual workers who suffer most from deaths.

It is never recommended to live next door to an illegal fireworks factory. It often does not end well. 

When will they ever learn.

3 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Suphanburi....hub of exploding fireworks factories. This has happened several times in that area and almost always by an illegal operation. The locals know what is going on yet nothing is done about it, madness.

its ironic,the locals new what was going o  and still the locals worked for them . never any chance of arresting them cos they are locals to  !

Illegally manufacturing small fireworks? You don't say! When you known locally as "plu look nok "  it kinda gives it away.   "plu (fireworks) look (child)  nok (bird)". Sorry, had to laugh. What could possibly go wrong in a house full of "fireworks" operated by a "child" with an IQ of a "bird" ?? On a serious note, RIP and may this be a learning experieince.

When look at the pictures it doesn't seem like a factory. It looks more like a backyard shed where someone illegally and amateurishly made fireworks. I assume there are many such places.

2 hours ago, BritScot said:

Sorry but I can't help myself being ex military. Rip to those whi lost their lives, just to make a few baht and a speedy recovery to all injured (sad they won't be properly compensated). And finally humer is the best medicine. Your bird comment was funny!!!

 

19 hours ago, bdenner said:

An explosion of that magnitude must have scared the crapper out of  any (surviving) birds in the area.

Sorry, couldn't help myself. Condolences to the families.

Your comments are juvenile and inconsiderate.

Went out with a bang…one big firework display…time for strict regulations and enforcement 

1 minute ago, cardinalblue said:

Went out with a bang…one big firework display…time for strict regulations and enforcement 

 

That is so cute........(only joshing)

23 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

Those bloody amulets.

You little genius, where do you see any amulets???

5 minutes ago, Garouda said:

You little genius, where do you see any amulets???

 

They all wear them to prevent car accidents and firework explosions.

Presumably black powder was imported in bulk by the site and used to make up bird scares?

Time to bring back the trumpet machine scarers operated with carbide and water producing acetylene gas. Noisy but safe.

"Live by the sword die by the sword".  For those that do not understand this quote I will translate, "Live with a sh.t load of fireworks and die by a massive explosion one day"

 

For those not involved my condolence and those injured a speedy recovery. 😞

8 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Suphanburi....hub of exploding fireworks factories. This has happened several times in that area and almost always by an illegal operation. The locals know what is going on yet nothing is done about it, madness.

Happened at a big firework show there too, stupid guy had all his fireworks in a big stockpile, a low break shell ignited it all, was a massive explosion, they just don’t learn here! 
I did professional firework shows around Thailand for 12 years, never had a major accident, the wedding planners loved to see a west face in charge of the pyrotechnics! Was a great , fun, well paying business, but stressful, glad I retired!

53 minutes ago, cynic1 said:

"Live by the sword die by the sword".  For those that do not understand this quote I will translate, "Live with a sh.t load of fireworks and die by a massive explosion one day"

 

For those not involved my condolence and those injured a speedy recovery. 😞

Errrr generalizing much?  I was surrounded by fireworks for 12 years on Samuj and Phuket, drove 300,009 kms with fireworks in my truck, never had an accident …. But I’m not Thai ……..

4 hours ago, zepplin said:

Errrr generalizing much?  I was surrounded by fireworks for 12 years on Samuj and Phuket, drove 300,009 kms with fireworks in my truck, never had an accident …. But I’m not Thai ……..

You needed to do with one more drive…

22 hours ago, BritScot said:

Sorry but I can't help myself being ex military. Rip to those whi lost their lives, just to make a few baht and a speedy recovery to all injured (sad they won't be properly compensated). And finally humer is the best medicine. Your bird comment was funny!!!

'Humer' is never the best medicine.

On 7/31/2025 at 8:41 AM, peter48 said:

 Britain introduced comprehensive Health and Safety Act in 1975 under Labour PM  Harold Wilson that has cut work accidents massively over last 50 yrs. Suggest Thailand work to do same. It of course the low income manual workers who suffer most from deaths.

 

This is Thailand, if there isn't already multiple laws against this, they will write more of them now, the problem is absolutely no enforcement. Until Thailand disbands the RTP and creates a real police force, the lawlessness will continue with impunity, and completely unabated.

23 hours ago, zepplin said:

Errrr generalizing much?  I was surrounded by fireworks for 12 years on Samuj and Phuket, drove 300,009 kms with fireworks in my truck, never had an accident …. But I’m not Thai ……..

Here's another quote, "If it can happen it will" Good luck. No matter if your Thai, English or whatever!