World War II bombs to be defused next year

World War II bombs to be defused next year

Buoys are moord on the Mae Klong River to mark the spots where unexploded ordnance is located. (Photo by State Railway of Thailand)
Buoys are moord on the Mae Klong River to mark the spots where unexploded ordnance is located. (Photo by State Railway of Thailand)

RATCHABURI: Authorities will next year defuse seven World War II-era bombs underwater before retrieving them from the Mae Klong River in the central province and then destroying them.

Representatives from the State Railway of Thailand, soldiers, police and concerned agencies attended a meeting on Wednesday to discuss measures to demolish the unexploded bombs.

Ratchaburi governor Chayawut Chanthorn, chairman of the province’s operations committee to recover and destroy the bombs, said five measures to defuse the bombs were discussed.

The panel resolved to choose the fifth measure, the safest method to defuse the bombs, said the governor. He did not elaborate on the details on the four other measures.

The chosen measure involves defusing he seven bombs underwater by using a water-jet cutter, said Mr Chayawut.  

After they are defused, they will be retrieved from the river for destruction at the Royal Thai Army Ordnance Division’s 6th arsenal in Muang district of Ratchaburi, he said.

Authorities would seek a central budget to purchase the equipment to defuse the explosives and to cover expenses for the evacuation of residents living in the area through the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said the governor. 

The work to defuse the bombs was expected to begin next year, he added.

The bombs were first discovered by the SRT’s workers who were working on the first phase of the double-track trail upgrade project between Nakhon Pathom and Chumphon.

The bombs were dropped during Allied air raids in Ratchaburi after Japanese soldiers invaded Thailand in 1941.

Representatives from concerned agencies meet in Ratchaburi province on Wednesday to discuss measures to defuse World War II-era unexploded bombs found on the bed of the Mae Klong River in this lower central province. The meeting agreed to defuse the bombs underwater. (Photo by Saiarun Pinaduang)

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