Continuous blasts rock central Thailand

[Hannes]

Continuous blasts rock central Thailand

BANGKOK, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Continuous explosions rock Thai central province of Lop Buri Tuesday night, Thai local radio FM 100 said.

Until press time, the blasts which have continued for about 20 minutes could be clearly heard through the radio wave.

Witnesses said the blasts have lightened the night sky and flame could be seen from 5 kilometers away.

Local police and fire engines are rushing to the scene which is located in Muang district of Lop Buri. Some residents living around are also being evacuating from the area.

Initial estimation said the blasts may come from a military camp or a weapon warehouse, a source told Xinhua.

Xinhua news April 24, 2007

[KoratCat]

LOP BURI OVER 1,000 EVACUATED

Explosions rock army arsenal

WASSANA NANUAM

More than 1,000 people, most of them families of military personnel, were evacuated following explosions at the army's largest arsenal complex in Lop Buri last night. No casualties were reported. A series of explosions started at about 8.00pm in the second arsenal of the army's ordnance department in tambon Khao Phra Nam of Muang district.

The complex is situated behind a mountain, some 10km from downtown Lop Buri and is adjacent to tambon Huay Prong of Khok Samrong district.

The blasts prompted immediate evacuations of some 1,300 people including military personnel, their families and some 300 other people in nearby areas.

Witnesses said the explosions and resulting flames could be heard and seen some four kilometres away. The complex was completely sealed off as authorities decided to wait until it could be ascertained there would be no further explosions.

In a television interview last night Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng, spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command, said no casualties were reported. The blasts occurred at two arms depots where stocks were mainly rifle ammunition. He maintained there was no foul play.

Council for National Security chairman and army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said the explosions took place at two depots _ one where gunpowder for artillery shells was kept and the other storing artillery shells and M-16 assault rifle bullets.

He said the blasts were probably caused by the extremely hot weather yesterday.

''The incident should not have anything to do with any terror attack. It may have resulted from the hot weather,'' he said.

Bangkok Post April 25, 2007

[KoratCat]

Munitions dumps explode

Explosions at two Army munitions dumps in Lop Buri's Muang district last night caused a resounding 30 minutes of continuous blasts but no casualties.

The cause of the blasts was not known but Army commander General Sonthi Boonyarat-glin later said the hot weather had been the cause and dismissed speculation of sabotage. Extensive examination of both sites has yet to be carried out.

The first explosion took place at around 8pm at a dump storing small-arms munitions owned by the Army's Ordnance Department. The fire and the heat later triggered explosions at a nearby dump with a stockpile of rockets and large explosives, owned by the Army's Aviation Centre.

Lt-General Theerawat Boonya-pradab, commander of the Army's Ordnance Department, said bomb disposal squads were sent into the depot to limit the damage but had to wait until the explosions stopped. No estimate of the damage was available last night.

Hundreds of military families residing near both the ammunition dumps, and civilians living in nearby areas, were evacuated. There are no reports of damage to property.

The worst explosion at an ammunitions dump occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima's Pak Chong area in 2001, when 17 people were killed.

The Nation April 25, 2007