Blast Flattens Military Explosives Warehouse in Thailand's Nakhon Sawan Province by Phairath Khampha 30 June 2001 Sabotage ruled out, but inquiry pending A huge explosion flattened a Nakhon Sawan warehouse in Thailand containing chemicals and materials for rocket production on June 20, 2001, but initial inquiries showed it was an accident, assistant defence spokesman Col Palangkoon Klaharn said. Damage was estimated at six million baht (1 US Dollar = 45.26 Thai Baht). The warehouse was one of 30 buildings containing explosives belonging to the Defence Industrial Department, near Ban Bang Prap, Phayuha Khiri district. The buildings are on a 3,000-rai ( 1 rai = 1,600 m2area on the north-bound Asian Highway. They are 200m apart and each is surrounded by an earth wall as tall as the building. Col Palangkoon said the 20m by 30m warehouse contained cotton, nitroglycerine and nitrocellulose, weighing a total of two tonnes. The materials were used in the production of rockets. Excessive heat and lower humidity caused the explosion that completely destroyed the building. The spokesman ruled out sabotage in the 5:30pm blast and said an investigation concluded it was an accident, beyond anyone's control. No injuries were caused because the area is off-limits to outsiders and safety measures in use were very effective, he said. The spokesman apologised to villagers living near the military compound and promised to compensate damage caused by the eruption, which shattered the windows of many nearby houses. Col Palangkoon said ammunition, grenades and rockets were made at the complex for Thailand's armed forces. Maj-Gen Samniang Selahom, director of the explosives production plant, said the warehouses were not equipped with airconditioners but with a standard ventilation system and sprinklers. He said they might now be fitted with airconditioners to reduce heat. An inquiry was also to be held, with police input, to officially determine the specific cause. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the incident highlighted changes are needed in the way chemicals are stored.