Four killed in fireworks blast

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CHINESE NEW YEAR TRAGEDY

Published: 25/01/2012 at 12:36 PM
Newspaper section: News

At least four people were killed and 50 others injured in an explosion and fire caused by fireworks at a Chinese New Year celebration presided over by former premier Banharn Silpa-archa in Suphan Buri last night.

Amassof fireworks soars into the night skyfrom the provincial City Pillar shrine. JORSOR100 TWITTER

Witnesses said the explosion occurred during the Trut Jeen Suphan Buri Pee Thong Mungkorn Sawan (Chinese New Year in Suphan Buri, the Year of the Heavenly Dragon) festival in downtown Suphan Buri.

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paul_giles
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Discussion 11 : 25/01/2012 at 10:57 PM11
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Each year, Banharn presides over a large Chinese New Year celebration; his grandfather was Chinese. The celebrations are bigger than the ones held in Chinatown in Bangkok, many celebrities attend and many TV channels cover the "naa yai" event.

I guess his luck ran out this year. In parliament, Chuwit put blame on Banharn (without actually naming him directly) for much of the flood damage. Thais are hugely superstitious so this accident will be viewed as ill luck for Banharn and his rotten brood.

Last year was a bad year for bad guys (Osama, Gaddhafi, Kim Jong, Mubarik, Assad, etc.), it would be pleasant if this year brings similar tidings to some of South East Asia's evil corrupt politicians, without naming any names.
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heartie
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Discussion 10 : 25/01/2012 at 09:21 PM10
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Is this the same Chinese New Year celebration that was put on by the Chinese Culture... (can't remember the official name, but they had several shows around the country)? And where did the fireworks come from? Could it not be the fault of the Thai people putting on the show, but instead something caused from the poor manufacturing?
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jacksprat
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Discussion 9 : 25/01/2012 at 12:56 PM9
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Pyrotechnic displays at Sanam Luang are conducted by the Royal Thai Army. Trained EOD personnel do the work. Some years back, I met the Army major who was in charge of this. But in the provinces, such as at Suphanburi, who knows who was in charge.
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med142
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Discussion 8 : 25/01/2012 at 12:06 PM8
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This is both very sad and bad. Surely local government should have approved such a display. made sure that it was held in a safe place. Away from a populated area. Explosions in the buildings around it were probably from gas bottles.
What strikes me is that it was not really co-ordinated in any way what so ever. When i saw the pictures of these fire works, all clumped together, it was a disaster waiting to happen. It was also more like a scene from a war with home made rocket launchers ready to be fired.
Who ever instigated this should be held accountable.The local government also for allowing this also. Many countries have a code which must be adhered to. The loss of life here is so tragic, the injured also.
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dao
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Discussion 7 : 25/01/2012 at 10:48 AM7
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Were the fireworks set up by qualified staff . I doubt it .Were the houses packed together so close that fire crews couldn't enter to put out the blaze ?Slums in Bangkok are a disaster waiting to happen for this very reason .If a fire starts then all you can do is wait for it to burn it self out or stand by the road side and shoot water into the air .The government should provide subsidized housing apartments for slum dwellers .Barnham should pay for the people who were affected out of his own pocket .
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samut
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Discussion 6 : 25/01/2012 at 10:19 AM6
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Ignorance and stupidity go hand in hand and of course they have a price.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 5 : 25/01/2012 at 08:58 AM5
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Hi Michael (D@2) Sadly, you & others are correct. Neither safety nor pre-planning are top priorities. Part of the problem is that the remedy for this is education, another weak point. Hopefully, lessons will be learned here for the future.

My sincere condolences go out to the injured & families of the deceased. The "Year of the Dragon" did not begin auspiciously for them...
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lazar
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Discussion 4 : 25/01/2012 at 08:44 AM4
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Thank god there were firework technicians on hand, otherwise this disaster waiting to happen could have been a whole lot worse.
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uberbraun
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Discussion 3 : 25/01/2012 at 07:50 AM3
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Does the word 'Safety' mean anything to the Thai people?
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Michael Bukit
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Discussion 2 : 25/01/2012 at 07:39 AM2
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Say to read this but to the Thais safety is not the first priority. Sunok and Sabai sabai are. Be its riding motorbike, driving a vehicle, working or having fun. They just don’t take safety seriously just long as they are Sunok and Sabai. Life is cheap.
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Four killed in fireworks blast | Bangkok Post: news