Two killed and seven injured in chemical explosion in Chiang Mai

[webfact]

Two killed and seven injured in chemical explosion in Chiang Mai



CHIANG MAI: -- Two people were killed and seven others injured when potassium chlorate which was stored in a house in Chiang Mai’s Doi Tao district caused an explosion.

The explosion destroyed the two-storey wooden house which stored the chemical used to accelerate the growth of lamyai, ten other houses and two cars in the neighbourhood.

The identities of the two dead victims are still unknown. Forensic police will inspect the scene tomorrow to determine what actually caused the chemical to catch fire and explode.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/two-killed-seven-injured-chemical-explosion-chiang-mai/


-- Thai PBS 2014-11-06

[jobin]

"accelerate the growth of lamyai"

What on earth is 'lamyai'? Some kind of fruit tree maybe.

[^_^]

"Lamyai" = Longan

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longan

[lee b]

"accelerate the growth of lamyai"

What on earth is 'lamyai'? Some kind of fruit tree maybe.

I think its the small brown round fruits you get in bunches...80% sure

[webfact]

2 killed, 5 injured as stored fertiliser explodes
The Nation



CHIANG MAI-- Two people were killed and five others injured after the potassium chlorate stored in a farmer's house exploded in Chiang Mai's Doi Tao district, police said. The substance is used as fertiliser to boost the production of longan.

The explosion, which took place at 5pm in Ban Rai Moo 2 village, also damaged two neighbouring houses and caused a power blackout, Mae Ka deputy superintendent Pol Lt-Colonel Sawang Itthiwang said.

As of press time, Doi Tao district chief Chatchawal Panya said local officials were not able to enter the site for fear of further explosions.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/2-killed-5-injured-as-stored-fertiliser-explodes-30247089.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-06

[jabis]

Holy crap - that stuff is sincerely volatile should it get contaminated, and by looking at the pictures it must've been a really vast quantity to get it to the stage of high order explosive blast...

RIP the lost ones and condoleances to the families - awful tragedy

[cmsally]

A repeat of what happened in Sanpatong a few years ago.

Potassium chlorate is used to induce longan flowering out of season to get another crop.

Can't believe they are still using this stuff after the Sanpatong incident.

http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/1999/10/thai-o09.html

[mamborobert]

More pics at cm108 http://www.cm108.com/bbb/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=3852

Seems to have really torn the place apart. RIP.

[Halion]

Ignorance and arrogance abound. Pot Chlorate is a very nasty compound to have around a house as it can form explosive mixtures with many organic compounds and is a high potential oxidizing agent. It is classified international as an oxidizer and as an explosive precursor (EP)and as such is a controlled substance in all developed countries.

Having bags of this stuff in a domestic area is nothing short of criminal.

[Lupatria]

The hub of totally unexpected and unlikely explosions.

[Tywais]

"accelerate the growth of lamyai"

What on earth is 'lamyai'? Some kind of fruit tree maybe.

In our front yard:

[elektrified]

"accelerate the growth of lamyai"

What on earth is 'lamyai'? Some kind of fruit tree maybe.

obviously a newbie.

[elektrified]

"accelerate the growth of lamyai"

What on earth is 'lamyai'? Some kind of fruit tree maybe.

In our front yard:

Still have fruit? Or is the picture taken earlier? We picked what the squirrels didn't get from our tree about 2 months ago and have already pruned it way back. Some years we don't get any fruit.

[Tywais]

Still have fruit? Or is the picture taken earlier? We picked what the squirrels didn't get from our tree about 2 months ago and have already pruned it way back. Some years we don't get any fruit.

We had someone come over to do the picking for us at the end of July so no more left.

[Brian Robson]

I've always thought Potassium Perchlorate was used as a weedkiller.

In my younger day I used to make very powerful IEDs with it, due to it's oxidising potential!

I think this was used in the Bali bombings and should be highly restricted, if not banned!

[PETERTHEEATER]

I've always thought Potassium Perchlorate was used as a weedkiller.

In my younger day I used to make very powerful IEDs with it, due to it's oxidising potential!

I think this was used in the Bali bombings and should be highly restricted, if not banned!

Yes, potassium chlorate mixed with sugar and ignited via Jetex fuze was the mix used when I was an RAF Apprentice.The chemical is hygroscopic and when exposed to air can absorb so much moisture that it dissolves itself.Should be stored in sealed drums, not sacks.

As with many chemicals, when damp it can produce heat by exothermic reaction and explode. I don't need Wiki to tell me this I know from experience.

[true blue]

the wife and her family have many plots in doi tao growing lamyia,wife said her uncle has lots of that chemical stuff for his plots,certinally wont be going visiting him agian.