A fierce fire destroyed four commercial buildings at the Wang Noi market in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday morning, as customers and vendors fled in panic.
Damage was initially estimated at 10 million baht.
Witnesses said the fire started on the mezzanine floor of the two four-storey buildings that housed the Wang Noi Lohaphan construction material shop at the market on Phahon Yothin Road in tambon Lamsai around 9.30am on Wednesday.
Paints, paint thinner, plastic and other flammable materials inside the shop fueled the flames, which spread quickly to two other buildings nearby.
More than 20 fire trucks and crews were called in to fight the blaze.
The fire terrified people buying goods at the fresh market, who fled for their safety.
The blaze was eventually put out, but four buildings were burned down. No casualties were reported.
Police suspected an electrical short circuit started the fire. They were investigating.