CARETAKER Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said this afternoon (Feb. 25) that the explosion at Border Patrol Police ammunition depot 21 in Chaniang subdistrict, Mueang district, Surin province last night was not an act of sabotage nor linked to the Thai-Cambodian border tension being a technical accident, Amarin TV said.
Speaking at the National Police headquarters Anutin said he had been informed that the blast was not sabotage but a technical accident with National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet to give further details.
However Anutin emphasised the need for stricter controls on the storage of military equipment to prevent similar incidents from happening again and reiterated that there is no link to the Thai-Cambodian border situation.
Questioned about public concern over evacuation of nearby areas, the Prime Minister said this was for safety and to ward off potential harm. This is a contingency plan that all provincial governors have already prepared, and the situation is currently under control.
Asked about his discussion with security agencies yesterday, Anutin said he had not met Army Chief Gen. Phana Klaeoplotthuk for some time so invited him to a meeting to update on the border situation. He had also invited Gen. Chaiyapruk Duangprapat, the army chief of staff, because of their closer working relationship, to ensure the talks proceeded smoothly.
Gen. Phana confirmed that the army is ready to protect the country’s territory and sovereignty while he reaffirmed the government’s continuous support for the army’s missions.
Later Pol. Gen. Kittirat too confirmed that the blast at the arms depot in Surin was not an act of sabotage as it is heavily guarded 24 hours a day but he is not hastily concluding it was caused by heat setting off an explosion
The depot houses seven types of weapons with the blast occurring at two of them storing ammunition and RPG rocket launchers.
Initial investigations suggest the explosion may have been caused by an ignition or explosive device going off inside the warehouse, possibly due to the hot weather combined with the fact that the stored weapons may have been old and had deteriorated. However, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers and forensic scientists are currently inspecting the area. Official forensic results are pending.
He added that if there were structural problems with the building, similar incidents would have occurred earlier. Therefore, it is more likely a technical issue related to the equipment. He emphasised that he does not want the public to believe it was an act of sabotage by any particular group.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the arms depot ablaze. Composite photo – Amarin TV
Insert – National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet and the arms depot ablaze. Composite photo – Amarin TV
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