In Phetchabun, a 65-year-old woman lit incense and candles to bless her car for the New Year 2026. In a moment of inattention, a severe fire broke out, damaging the car. She wants this to serve as a warning and said she will no longer use incense and candles to bless her car, planning instead to use only fruit and garlands.
On 2 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters were informed of a car fire incident at a house in Village No. 1, Ban Phu Toei, Phu Toei Subdistrict, Wichian Buri District, Phetchabun Province. They proceeded to investigate the scene.
Upon arrival, they found a white Isuzu MU-X car, license plate 5ขง 1498 Bangkok, with its front, engine compartment, and front tires on both sides severely damaged by fire. Fortunately, rescue workers arrived promptly and managed to control the fire, preventing it from spreading to the house.
Mrs. Sommai Thongjantham, 65, the car owner, explained that she had placed offerings on the car hood to bless it and, seeing the incense and candles were hot, moved them to the ground in front of the car. She is unsure whether a candle or incense stick fell onto the car's fiber parts. She then went inside the house, not expecting this to happen as she had done the same ritual before without incident. She noticed the smell of burning and saw the fire, but luckily, rescue workers nearby came quickly to help extinguish it.
Mrs. Sommai added that she will no longer use incense and candles when blessing her car, choosing only fruit and garlands instead. She did not expect such an incident and hopes her experience serves as a warning to others who bless their cars or the car guardian spirit, advising them not to repeat her mistake as it could lead to property loss.