103 bombs found at work site 'safe'

103 bombs found at work site 'safe'

Aerial practice bombs are hosed down to cool them after they were discovered at a construction site on Ratchawithi Road in Dusit district yesterday. Police said the bombs are no longer active. Chanat Katanyu
Aerial practice bombs are hosed down to cool them after they were discovered at a construction site on Ratchawithi Road in Dusit district yesterday. Police said the bombs are no longer active. Chanat Katanyu

Over 100 "aerial practice bombs" that may have been designed for use during the Vietnam War, and which were found yesterday at a construction site in Bangkok, do not pose any threat to the public as they are non-explosive rounds used in training, police said.

Explosive ordnance disposal officers combed the site in Dusit district and confirmed that the bombs are no longer active, said deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

None contain any gunpowder or an ignition fuse, he said, adding they were in poor condition after over nearly half a century spent lying dormant, during which time they were exposed to the elements.

A total of 98 BDU-33 bombs, weighing 11.3 kilogrammes apiece, were found by construction workers at the 9,000-square metre site on Ratchawithi Road, along with five other aged bombs.

The site is being developed as a so-called Market Place Project by Siam Future Development Plc. The area where the bombs were unearthed has been set aside for a car park and restaurants.

They were found 1.5 metres underground, according to Pol Gen Srivara.

The deputy police chief said the bombs are usually dropped from planes and release smoke when they land, helping soldiers to determine their location.

They used to be a common part of military training, he said, adding the batch recently unearthed was probably destined to help prepare troops for battle in the region as they are known to have been produced in the United States more than 45 years ago.

Such bombs have never been used by the Thai military, he said, adding they had nothing to do with security issues in the capital.

Air force chief Jom Rungsawang ordered personnel at the Directorate of Armament to coordinate with police in examining the bombs.

An air force spokesman said the area has never been used as an air base.

This type of bomb is no longer used by the US military, the spokesman said. Some have been found close to train stations or bridges in Bang Sue and Samsen, both in Bangkok.

Five were found in 2015 on the side of a road in Kumphawapi district of Udon Thani.

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