Pictures courtesy of Amarin

 

A worker was killed instantly when an air conditioner gas tank exploded at a chicken processing plant in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district. The powerful blast occurred around 09.05, on 4 November 2025, at a facility inside the Bueng Khlo Industrial Estate on Suwinthawong Road, Soi 39, Lam Phak Chi subdistrict. Police, forensic specialists and a medical examiner from the Police General Hospital were dispatched to the scene.

 

The explosion took place on the second floor of a commercial building housing the plant. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Mr. Phonphat, head of the production department, was found lying on his back in the machine room. His clothing had been torn apart and he suffered severe injuries to his head and body. Nearby officers discovered fragments of a ruptured air conditioning refrigerant tank believed to have triggered the deadly blast.

 

According to investigators, the factory owner had asked Mr. Phonphat to repair the air conditioning system the previous day after it stopped cooling properly. His wife told police that her husband had experience with air conditioner maintenance and managed to restore normal cooling earlier that morning. Shortly before the explosion, he was reportedly collecting tools near the machine room when the tank suddenly exploded, followed by flames that briefly engulfed the area.

 

Co-workers quickly used a chemical extinguisher to put out the fire before emergency services arrived, but the victim had already succumbed to his injuries. Police believe the blast may have occurred when the victim attempted to release or refill “, causing an abnormal pressure build-up inside the tank. The explosion caused significant damage within the room but did not spread beyond the second floor.

 

Authorities said the incident appeared to be accidental, though they have ordered a full forensic investigation to confirm the exact cause. The victim’s body was transferred to the Police General Hospital for autopsy. Investigators are coordinating with industrial safety officials to determine whether workplace safety procedures were followed.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 35-year-old worker died in an air conditioner gas tank explosion at a Bangkok industrial facility.

• Initial evidence suggests a refrigerant pressure build-up caused the blast.

• Police and safety officials are investigating compliance with workplace safety standards.

 

Related Stories

 

LPG-explosion-at-Pathum-Thani-salon-kills-1-injures-7

 

Explosion-at-Lamphun-asphalt-plant-kills-one-injures-two

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Amarin 2025-11-05

 

 

 

 

R-290 gas maybe?

Also known as propane.

3 hours ago, emptypockets said:

R-290 gas maybe?

Also known as propane.

 

 

R-290 (refrigerant-grade propane) vs. standard cooking propane

 

Feature	R-290 (Refrigerant-grade)	Standard Cooking Propane
Purity	Ultra-pure, with no moisture or impurities, which can damage refrigeration equipment.	Contains moisture and impurities that are harmless for cooking but would harm sensitive refrigerant systems.
Odorization	Odorless, to prevent corrosion within refrigeration systems. This is the most dangerous aspect for cooking, as a leak would go undetected.	Odorized with a chemical additive that gives it a distinct smell. This allows you to detect leaks immediately.
Usage	Restricted to sealed refrigeration and air conditioning systems.	Used for grills, stoves, heaters, and other gas-powered home appliances.
Leak Detection	Specialized sensors are required to detect leaks in a sealed refrigeration system.	Human nose detects the added odorant to warn of a leak.

 

 

R-290 (refrigerant-grade propane) vs. standard cooking propane

Feature R-290 (Refrigerant-grade)Standard Cooking Propane

PurityUltra-pure, with no moisture or impurities, which can damage refrigeration equipment.Contains moisture and impurities that are harmless for cooking but would harm sensitive refrigerant systems.

OdorizationOdorless, to prevent corrosion within refrigeration systems. This is the most dangerous aspect for cooking, as a leak would go undetected.Odorized with a chemical additive that gives it a distinct smell. This allows you to detect leaks immediately.

UsageRestricted to sealed refrigeration and air conditioning systems.Used for grills, stoves, heaters, and other gas-powered home appliances.

Leak DetectionSpecialized sensors are required to detect leaks in a sealed refrigeration system.Human nose detects the added odorant to warn of a leak.

40 minutes ago, digger70 said:

 

R-290 (refrigerant-grade propane) vs. standard cooking propane

 

Feature	R-290 (Refrigerant-grade)	Standard Cooking Propane
Purity	Ultra-pure, with no moisture or impurities, which can damage refrigeration equipment.	Contains moisture and impurities that are harmless for cooking but would harm sensitive refrigerant systems.
Odorization	Odorless, to prevent corrosion within refrigeration systems. This is the most dangerous aspect for cooking, as a leak would go undetected.	Odorized with a chemical additive that gives it a distinct smell. This allows you to detect leaks immediately.
Usage	Restricted to sealed refrigeration and air conditioning systems.	Used for grills, stoves, heaters, and other gas-powered home appliances.
Leak Detection	Specialized sensors are required to detect leaks in a sealed refrigeration system.	Human nose detects the added odorant to warn of a leak.

 

 

R-290 (refrigerant-grade propane) vs. standard cooking propane

Feature R-290 (Refrigerant-grade)Standard Cooking Propane

PurityUltra-pure, with no moisture or impurities, which can damage refrigeration equipment.Contains moisture and impurities that are harmless for cooking but would harm sensitive refrigerant systems.

OdorizationOdorless, to prevent corrosion within refrigeration systems. This is the most dangerous aspect for cooking, as a leak would go undetected.Odorized with a chemical additive that gives it a distinct smell. This allows you to detect leaks immediately.

UsageRestricted to sealed refrigeration and air conditioning systems.Used for grills, stoves, heaters, and other gas-powered home appliances.

Leak DetectionSpecialized sensors are required to detect leaks in a sealed refrigeration system.Human nose detects the added odorant to warn of a leak.

Agree.

And is flammable/explosive.