BYD RÊVER Thailand has issued a statement regarding a fire involving a BYD Dolphin electric vehicle in Khon Kaen on 16 June 2026, saying preliminary findings indicate the blaze was not caused by the vehicle itself.

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The company said it became aware of the incident, which was widely reported in the media, and expressed concern for the customer and others affected by the fire. Following notification of the incident, BYD dispatched a team of specialists to help investigate the circumstances immediately.

According to the company’s initial investigation and examination of available evidence, the fire did not originate from the vehicle. BYD said the blaze was caused by external factors related to the electrical system outside the vehicle, including the charging equipment.

The company stated that the external electrical circuit and charging system were responsible for the fire and that there was no connection to the vehicle’s internal systems. The findings were described as preliminary and based on evidence collected during the initial stage of the investigation.

The statement follows reports of a house fire in Khon Kaen involving a BYD Dolphin that was being charged at the time of the incident. Authorities have been gathering evidence to determine the exact cause of the fire.

BYD reiterated that customer safety remains its highest priority and said it would continue a detailed review of the incident. The company added that further investigations would be conducted carefully to establish all relevant facts.

ThaiRath reported that the manufacturer said it would provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 17 June 2026

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Good news everyone, it wasn’t the car that caught fire… it was only the thing connected to the car. 😅🔥🔌🚗

Obviously it was the car at fault.

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Obviously it was the car at fault.

why Obviously

2 minutes ago, steve187 said:

why Obviously

Because no manufacturer will admit their car was the cause.

It's always the car, sometimes because of a damaged battery, or a flooded battery.

The Chinese at corporate level basically operate like a 20th century second hand car dealer. Once it's off the lot it's your problem pal.

Maybe a jing jok shorted out the breaker circuitry.

25 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Obviously it was the car at fault.

Of course, using Thai logic - if the car wasn't there, there wouldn't have been a fire - therefore it was the car at fault.

43 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Good news everyone, it wasn’t the car that caught fire… it was only the thing connected to the car. 😅🔥🔌🚗

Oh, it was the Thingamajiggy that was at fault. 😂

The Dolphin uses BYD's Blade Battery which uses the safer LiFePO4 chemistry.

The battery is under the vehicle floorpan.

At the time of the photo the battery was likely not involved.

A fault in the charging system or poor electrical installation possibly.

It's quite possible that the fire started elsewhere and spread to the car.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Because no manufacturer will admit their car was the cause.

It's always the car, sometimes because of a damaged battery, or a flooded battery.

An external charger can never start a fire? Or a faulty electrical installation??

1 hour ago, kevozman1 said:

The Chinese at corporate level basically operate like a 20th century second hand car dealer. Once it's off the lot it's your problem pal.

Any reliable source to prove this?

The charger supplied by BYD is the root cause ?

I wonder if it was the free charger and free installation service provided by BYD?

How safe are these installations?

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

The charger supplied by BYD is the root cause ?

2 minutes ago, matchar said:

I wonder if it was the free charger and free installation service provided by BYD?

How safe are these installations?

I think it’s more likely BYD’s subcontractor didn’t install the charger, or it was done incorrectly.

The external charger isn’t really a charger at all, it’s just a switching relay that tells the car it can begin charging and the capabilities of the device.

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

I think it’s more likely BYD’s subcontractor didn’t install the charger, or it was done incorrectly.

The external charger isn’t really a charger at all, it’s just a switching relay that tells the car it can begin charging and the capabilities of the device.

so...... root cause circles back to BYD !

3 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

so...... root cause circles back to BYD !

No, not at all. We are just speculating.

It’s far more likely it was a DIY installation than a subcontractor breaking the rules.

Ordered a Bolt yesterday for the airport........my first ever ride in a BYD.......a SeaLion?..........well impressed.

23 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

No, not at all. We are just speculating.

It’s far more likely it was a DIY installation than a subcontractor breaking the rules.

Ahh the good old DIY install.

Loving your flip flop!

2 hours ago, ravip said:

An external charger can never start a fire? Or a faulty electrical installation??

The charger doesn't do much, unlike a normal battery charger that changes voltage, it's just a mains switch.

I'm surprised some Chinese guy from the local dealership didn't swiftly head down to the scene and remove the BYD tags/insignia/labels like they do in China when something goes badly wrong.

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2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

or it was done incorrectly.

Such as a DIY install Ralfyboy?

@Ralf001

It is very possible that the fire was from the charging circuit, the fire on the images looks like much more concentrated on the house.

The wall charger takes 32A, that is not little, and can overheat very quickly if the cables or circuits are not adequately done. sometimes even the breaker can start the fire.

and you know how many Thai love to oversize their breakers, copper cable suitable for 20A are behind 50A breakers... I see all the time.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to the company’s initial investigation and examination of available evidence

How convenient eh? so BYD did their own investigation?

I would not believe anything coming from them, we should wait for the investigation results from the fire department forensics.

I think there are many EV haters here who would like it to be the car’s fault.

It probably won’t be. Somchai will be involved somewhere.

7 hours ago, Artisi said:

Of course, using Thai logic - if the car wasn't there, there wouldn't have been a fire - therefore it was the car at fault.

And if it hadn't been electric and needed to be plugged into the house there wouldn't have been a fire - therefore it was the car at fault. 🤫 🥱QED

Had it been ICE and therefore not plugged into the structure. 🤔

5 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Such as a DIY install Ralfyboy?

@Ralf001

Definately....

Canot be blaming BYD or their sub contractors can we!

2 hours ago, brfsa2 said:

It is very possible that the fire was from the charging circuit, the fire on the images looks like much more concentrated on the house.

The wall charger takes 32A, that is not little, and can overheat very quickly if the cables or circuits are not adequately done. sometimes even the breaker can start the fire.

Would have to assume BYD and their charger installation sub contracators due their due diligence and ensure the power delivery supply is adequate.

8 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Would have to assume BYD and their charger installation sub contracators due their due diligence and ensure the power delivery supply is adequate.

We don’t know that they installed the charger, BYD gave me the charger and I installed it myself. No fire yet…

7 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

We don’t know that they installed the charger, BYD gave me the charger and I installed it myself. No fire yet…

Look, we all know you are an EV fanboi and the companies can do no wrong.

Your diatribe is tedious.