Thread: Bung Fai rocket explosion in Roi-et injures scores

Thirty-seven people were injured, six seriously, after a “Bung Fai” home-made rocket misfired and exploded during a “Bung Fai” festival in Phon Thong district of Roi-et province today.


Many people were attending the festival, being held this morning in Bang Sang Bu in Pho Si Sawang sub-district, when a huge home-made rocket exploded while surrounded by participants.


EMTs at the scene, who rushed the injured to hospital, said that some of the villagers had suffered broken ribs, arms and legs. There were also some serious head injuries.


A community leader said he has tried to contact the owner of the home-make rocket, to coordinate with an insurance company regarding compensation for the injuries and damage.


Police say they are investigating the cause of the accident.


“Bung Fai” rocket explosion in Roi-et injures scores - Thai PBS World

Originally Posted by misskit

A community leader said he has tried to contact the owner of the home-make rocket, to coordinate with an insurance company regarding compensation for the injuries and damage.

It's hard enough for Thais to have car insurance let alone rocket insurance.

Bung Fai rocket with 120kg of gunpowder slams into crowd at Thai festival

Thirty-eight people were injured when a homemade rocket went astray and ploughed into spectators during the annual Bun Bang Fai festival in Roi Et on Sunday (June 16).


The Bang Fai rocket exploded among the crowd at Wat Ban Srangbu in Tambon Phosi Sawang, Phothong district at 4.40pm.



The Phothong community Facebook page reported that 38 onlookers were injured – 34 men and four women. Six were rushed to Roi Et Hospital with severe injuries while the rest were allowed to return home after receiving first aid for minor injuries.


The missile that misfired was a Bung Fai Saen, the largest category of rockets with 120 kilograms of gunpowder.



Eyewitnesses said the Bung Fai went astray on launch and hit another launchpad before sheering away into the crowd and exploding among the terrified onlookers.


Witnesses said plastic shrapnel from the rocket tore through the clothing and flesh of victims.


Bung Fai are traditionally made of bamboo, but the modern-day rockets fired in competition are usually constructed from plastic pipes.

Bung Fai rocket with 120kg of gunpowder slams into crowd at Thai festival | The Star

Originally Posted by taxexile

the sheer idiocy of this event, where drunken upcountry peasant halfwits attempt to outdo each other for glory with ever more powerful rockets powered by home made explosives in a totally unregulated environment beggars belief.

it is the apotheosis of chickenhead culture, up there with those other pinnacles of chickenhead achievment , plaa raa, the smoke belching noisy tuk tuk and the healing properties of amulets.

Excellently put. I'm sure SA will be on later to try and better your post.

A community leader said he has tried to contact the owner of the home-make rocket, to coordinate with an insurance company regarding compensation for the injuries and damage.

Ah yes, the trusty 'payout for unforeseeable home made rocket accidents' policy.

FFS

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^

Bang Fai is one of the major cultural differences between Thailand and my prefered residense

If you haven't experienced a "Bang Fai", then by all means do.

Way safer at the festival site than in the villages nearby.


(shouldn't this be in the "Space news thread" ? )