Suphan buri: “Varawut” visits the area to offer support to the families of those who died in the fireworks explosion. The Minister of Social Development and Human Security visited the family of the deceased in the fireworks explosion to offer emotional support. The province is preparing to tighten measures to prevent and control illegal firecracker and fireworks production. He confirmed that there are nine factories with proper permits in the province and is increasing the frequency of safety inspections.
According to Thai News Agency, at Wat Pho Tha Sai in Mueang District, Suphan Buri Province, where the Suphan Buri Provincial Incident Command Center and the Suphan Buri Provincial Police’s Forward Operations Center have been set up, they are providing assistance, facilitating, and compensating the families of the deceased and injured, in collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Suphan Buri Provincial Public Health Office, the Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office (PSDH), and the Suphan Buri Provincial Justice Office, following a fireworks explosion at a house in Ban Pho Subdistrict, Mueang District, Suphan Buri Province. Nine people were reported dead at the scene (one woman who was eight months pregnant). Two people are being treated at the hospital, one of whom is in critical condition. Three houses were damaged.
Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security (MSDH), traveled to Suphan Buri to offer support to the families of the deceased and injured and to prepare relief measures. He stated that the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDH) is working with various agencies in the province. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDH) has divided teams of MSDH officials into each family, providing relief packages, initial financial aid, and long-term assistance. Another team will assist with career and educational coordination. A team from the Ministry of Public Health has also provided emotional support.
Mr. Klawat Trapsongsuk, Deputy Governor of Suphan Buri, stated that the incident was not a fireworks factory, but rather a domestic operation. It is believed the incident involved the production of fireworks for sale, subcontracted from retailers, and subsequently resold. Suphan Buri province has nine licensed fireworks factories: seven in Mueang District, one in Doem Bang Nang Buat District, and one in Don Chedi District. Production permits must be requested from the provincial administrative office, and permits are issued annually. He emphasized that the province will implement stricter inspections and greater frequency going forward.
Regarding the progress of the case, nine relatives of the deceased have been interviewed, and three more witnesses will be questioned today. No charges have been filed yet, pending the results of the forensic examination and the police’s decision. Yesterday, forensic units conducted an examination and collected DNA. The body is expected to be handed over to the family for funeral rites by Monday at the latest. Several craters have been found at the site of the explosion, caused by the impact, but the EOD report is pending further investigation into the true cause of the explosion.
Regarding the atmosphere at the scene today, Suphan Buri Provincial Police and forensic officers conducted a further inspection of the area. Following the incident, EOD officers removed all hazardous materials. Observations of the single-story house at the scene of the blast have revealed extensive damage. Surrounding the house are rice fields, and several other houses in the community were also damaged. Residents in the vicinity reported the explosion was extremely loud. Residents in another village, further down the subdistrict, also heard the noise. Most said they were unaware that the house was a contractor for assembling bird-repelling firecrackers.
It’s been reported that the house where the incident occurred has been hired to assemble bird-repelling firecrackers for some time, without obtaining permission. The majority of the workers are said to have invited distant relatives to work with them, all of whom are locals. The wages are paid on a per-job basis, not on a regular basis. However, many villagers prefer this type of work because it pays them immediately, without the need to wait for the harvest.