12-Year-Old Boy Killed in Rocket Accident

By Khaosod English



UBON RATCHATHANEE — A 12-year-old boy was killed this morning when a homemade rocket accidentally exploded in Ubon Ratchathanee province.

The incident took place in Pho Yai district at around 11:30 a.m. Police say the boy, identified as Wuttinan Moonsaeng, was found at the scene with severe wounds to the head.

Naikham Moonsaeng, the boy’s 50-year-old uncle, said Wutthinan was helping him prepare a traditional rocket to be fired in a ceremony to honour the local spirits on 1 May.

The rocket consisted of a plastic pipe filled with saltpetre. Mr. Naikham was pouring the saltpetre and his nephew was placing metal plates at the bottom of the missile to seal its ignition chamber when a small explosion suddenly occurred, sending the metal plate into the boy's skull, according to Mr. Naikham.

The police say they are investigating the incident to determine whether the death was caused by negligence.

Source: http://en.khaosod.co.th/detail.php?newsid=1398844337


-- Khaosod English 2014-04-30

or caused by stupidity.

Deaths caused by misfiring rockets are an annual part of the Bun Bung Fai Festival (sorry if my spelling is wrong). When I went to the big one at Yasothon some years back, an area near the launching site was marked off as dangerous, but hundreds of people were picnicking inside the danger area. One rocket whistled overhead, and some fool shouted "Challenger!" and howled with laughter. It was just after the Challenger disaster.

Daft or what.............

RIP young fella........

The amount of daily deaths here of children is just staggering . . . I wish Thai's could learn to protect their children better

The amount of daily deaths here of children is just staggering . . . I wish Thai's could learn to protect their children better

They do seem to have a casual almost reckless attitude. From the 2 on the bike without helmet as the driver wobbles along driving one handed to letting them play in the sea while they drink.

Making your own fireworks and getting the kids to help... unbelievable.

A 12 year old life wasted.

The amount of daily deaths here of children is just staggering . . . I wish Thai's could learn to protect their children better

They do seem to have a casual almost reckless attitude. From the 2 on the bike without helmet as the driver wobbles along driving one handed to letting them play in the sea while they drink.

Making your own fireworks and getting the kids to help... unbelievable.

A 12 year old life wasted.

From some stats I found related to those children drowning a little while ago, there are 7 children that drown EVERY SINGLE DAY in Thailand.

Thai's seem totally incapable of "seeing" danger.

I am surprised this does not happen more often,as they let off a lot of homemade rockets last year here at the bang fai,festival and what goes up generally comes down.

The article did not say if there was any form of obvious ignition... Welding the steel sealing plates mentioned perhaps??? etc or smoking while assembling. Anything is possible if wearing the right amulet. Very sad. Obvious risky actions all day every day all over the country. Just go to any building site. Welding face masks cost fro 85baht but at my house the builders use sunglasses & say their eyes hurt. The state of electric cords & 220v extender sockets cannot be believed even when seen. Won't wear hearing protection or eye protection if given to them. Builders wearing rubber thong sandals. Many labourers wil be blind or deaf before 40. Another young life wasted & no lessons will be learned.

Deaths caused by misfiring rockets are an annual part of the Bun Bung Fai Festival (sorry if my spelling is wrong). When I went to the big one at Yasothon some years back, an area near the launching site was marked off as dangerous, but hundreds of people were picnicking inside the danger area. One rocket whistled overhead, and some fool shouted "Challenger!" and howled with laughter. It was just after the Challenger disaster.

YUP! I was in Yasothan last year for it. I was shocked to see the proximity of the people to the launch sites, the amount of Lo Khao being consumed while launching and preparing, and the lack of "official" supervision for this event. It was a great time and I didn't see anyone get hurt, but it is scary at the potential for disasterous results. These are not small rockets either! VERY big and powerful homemade projectiles!

The article did not say if there was any form of obvious ignition... Welding the steel sealing plates mentioned perhaps??? etc or smoking while assembling. Anything is possible if wearing the right amulet. Very sad. Obvious risky actions all day every day all over the country. Just go to any building site. Welding face masks cost fro 85baht but at my house the builders use sunglasses & say their eyes hurt. The state of electric cords & 220v extender sockets cannot be believed even when seen. Won't wear hearing protection or eye protection if given to them. Builders wearing rubber thong sandals. Many labourers wil be blind or deaf before 40. Another young life wasted & no lessons will be learned.

Thai safety boots as used by my neighbour while mowing the lawn = thong sandals (flip flops UK)

Respirators in very dusty work areas = plastic bag over the head.

Welding goggles = fingers held slightly apart while welding.

Safety equipment for non-swimmers in deep, medium surf. = large rubber tube. When overturned, let go and sink.

Ear protection while riveting, drilling or chain sawing = huh?

I should mention the classic.

Gas leak detector apparatus for checking new installation of piped LPG in a laboratory. (tees, elbows, etc) = cigarette lighter.

yes, I did show the plumber the soapy water trick. He was amazed.

Deaths caused by misfiring rockets are an annual part of the Bun Bung Fai Festival (sorry if my spelling is wrong). When I went to the big one at Yasothon some years back, an area near the launching site was marked off as dangerous, but hundreds of people were picnicking inside the danger area. One rocket whistled overhead, and some fool shouted "Challenger!" and howled with laughter. It was just after the Challenger disaster.

YUP! I was in Yasothan last year for it. I was shocked to see the proximity of the people to the launch sites, the amount of Lo Khao being consumed while launching and preparing, and the lack of "official" supervision for this event. It was a great time and I didn't see anyone get hurt, but it is scary at the potential for disasterous results. These are not small rockets either! VERY big and powerful homemade projectiles!

Last year two men were killed when a rocket landed on their car:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/642220-two-die-as-errant-bang-fai-rocket-engulfs-car-in-ball-of-flames-nong-khai/

I have attended two of these festivals at my wife's home town, near Chumporn - and after what I have seen, I am amazed there are not more incidents happening like this. After all this is Thailaeeennn, and any efforts trying to implement further safety measures will be done in vain. Best advise is to stay away from houses and people building these rockets and those festivals for good. I will try to find a video I made and post it later if I can find it in my archives. This is some frightening $#it, people!!! Especially when the big ones roar off...

The police say they are investigating the incident to determine whether the death was caused by negligence.

Nah, not likely because they were following all the safety instructions in the manual.

Several improper posts and replies to them have been removed.

I have attended two of these festivals at my wife's home town, near Chumporn - and after what I have seen, I am amazed there are not more incidents happening like this. After all this is Thailaeeennn, and any efforts trying to implement further safety measures will be done in vain. Best advise is to stay away from houses and people building these rockets and those festivals for good. I will try to find a video I made and post it later if I can find it in my archives. This is some frightening $#it, people!!! Especially when the big ones roar off...

Ubon Ratchathani and other Isaan provinces do Bang Fai much more intensive. Many people still believe it creates needed rain.

Chumpoon is quite different. Please try to watch the Yasothon Rocket Festival, the biggest in Thailand.

I never stay near the launcher though, -