Massive explosion obliterates buildings in the center of Pattaya

[reader]

From Pattaya News

A massive explosion obliterated several Thai restaurants and a building in the center of Pattaya and seriously injured one Laotian worker. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

The explosion shook parts of Pattaya at 5.50 a.m. early this morning, August 30th. The explosion was believed to take place inside a BBQ pork and chicken with rice restaurant called “Jae Jar” located in Banglamung’s Nongprue subdistrict, according to police reports.

The restaurant was at the side of a two-storey commercial building and was adjacent to a noodle restaurant and a shrimp paste fried rice restaurant. All three were totally demolished in the explosion, said Kunlachart Kunlachai, police chief of the Pattaya Police Station who went to inspect the incident scene.

Additionally, the explosion caused minor damage to places in nearby buildings, including an Indian restaurant called “Govindam,” Wichian Color Lab, and a barbershop. One unfortunate Laotian worker, Mr. Khith Lovanxay, 29, was discovered beneath the rubble of the first building with burn wounds and was rushed to a hospital.

[vinapu]

what's going on , two explosions  in one day, one in BKK and this ?

[reader]

Incidents involving liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Thailand are not uncommon but we only hear about the larger ones. Although both are flammable gases, LPG is not to be confused with natural gas in any of its states (gaseous, liquefied or compressed).

For gas users, the most important thing about how they differ is that LPG is a heavier-than-air gas that it slower to diffuse into the environment than is natural gas that is lighter than air.  Should LPG gas escape its container, it will tend to flow down towards the ground or floor where it than begins migrating horizontally. As it mixes with air, it passes into and out of a defined explosive range . Should it find an ignition source while in that range (5-17% gas to air mixture), fire will erupt immediately.

You'll find LPG in wide use in Thailand. Cooked food street vendors depend on it to fuel their stoves. These portable tanks are transported in on small trucks or even on the back of motor bikes. If the vehicle becomes involved in an accident, and the tanks are damaged, gas can be released. Tanks are equipped with emergency relief valves that automatically vent gas if internal pressure rises to high, but the tank must remain upright in order for the valve to operate properly. If a tank is exposed to fire, the internal pressure can rise rapidly, resulting in a violent explosion with pieces of metal becoming shrapnel fragments.

The explosion in central Pattaya has the visual indications of some type of gas explosion. Gas explosions can occur without necessarily causing fire. The damage is done by the violent explosive force that can bring down walls, roofs and ceilings. The absence is of fire is attributed to the rapid release of energy before combustible contents of the building can be heated to their ignition temperatures.

Most Bangkok taxis operate on compressed natural gas (CNG).