12 Dead, Dozens Injured in Thailand Factory Explosion by Phairath Khampha 31 October 2001 At least 12 workers were killed in an explosion on October 31, 2001 at a paint factory in eastern Thailand. At least 30 people were injured, three seriously, said the Ruam Duay Chuay Kan radio station, citing interviews with rescue workers. Ten fire-brigade trucks were able to get the fire--at ST Thailand Company in Chonburi Province--under control in half an hour. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nakharind Nuroon said 12 workers were confirmed dead. The toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched the ruins of the GF Thailand factory, which burned for about one and a half hours after the explosion. Police said the factory, in the Panthong district of Chonburi province, 70km southeast of Bangkok, employed more than 1,000 workers, but radio and television reports said many fewer may have been working at the time of the accident. Police said an initial investigation found that a piece of equipment exploded due to a technical problem. About 100 workers were working at the factory in Chonburi's Tambon Ban Kao when the explosion occurred at one of the three buildings at the plant. The powerful blast damaged all three buildings. Police suspect that a fire involving paint mixed with thinner caused the explosion. Of the injured workers, seven were seriously hurt and needed surgery. Most were suffering from burns and cuts caused by metal, and were admitted to Pan Thong and Chonburi hospitals. Sophon Ngarmnut, deputy Chonburi industrial chief, said that ST Thailand Co's plant had been legally established in 1997 and had the necessary licences. Komin Wongsaluksanakorn is the factory owner, he said. The week before, 20 people died when a Thai army arsenal blew up in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Army personnel and workers were transporting outdated ammunition for disposal when it exploded. The blast injured 90 other people, six seriously, and forced the evacuation of about 5,000 villagers after unexploded munitions rained down overthe area.