A welding worker repairing a manhole cover at a well-known mall in Chonburi Province was caught in an explosion that killed one person and left another critically injured. One customer was also wounded. Authorities have cordoned off the area, suspecting a gas leak in the drainage system.
On 21 Dec 2025 GMT+7, it was reported that at 23:30 on 20 Dec, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sitthichai Tonphui, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Si Racha Police Station in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province, received a report of a gas leak explosion inside a drainage pipe causing injuries and fatalities. The incident occurred in front of a department store located in Moo 5, Surasak Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. He promptly went to the scene with emergency response personnel from the Chao Phraya Surasak Municipality, rescue workers from Sawang Prateep Si Racha Rescue Unit, and on-duty doctors from Samitivej Si Racha Hospital.
At the scene in front of the mall, the blast force had damaged the surrounding concrete floor. At the drainage pipe opening, rescuers found a critically injured man identified as Mr. Samart, 35, who had severe lacerations on his right leg caused by the blast. Authorities provided first aid and rushed him to the hospital. Meanwhile, inside the drainage pipe about 4 meters deep, the body of the deceased was discovered. He was identified as Mr. Thinapat, 30. Rescue workers retrieved his body from the water. Additionally, one customer was reported injured from the incident.
An eyewitness mall employee said all four men were welders who arrived together and split up to weld the manhole covers and grease traps. The injured and deceased were working on welding the manhole cover at the explosion site. During the work, sparks fell into the pipe, immediately causing a blast to erupt from within. The blast force struck both welders, causing the deceased to fall into the pipe while the injured was thrown out.
Authorities have conducted an initial inspection and cordoned off the scene. They suspect a gas leak inside the mall's drainage pipes. However, officials will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause and conclude the case. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
