A 28-year-old man driving a pickup truck crashed heavily into a roadside tree. Police and rescue teams quickly transported him to the hospital. They were shocked to find four mortar shells scattered around the vehicle along with more than a dozen large firecrackers. The source of these explosives remains unknown, and the critically injured driver cannot yet provide any information.
On 23 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Wisanu Arpornphong, Superintendent of Prakhon Chai Police Station in Buriram province, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Chakrapong Tasuwan, Deputy Investigation Chief, and Sgt. Witit Selaruk, Investigation Unit Commander, and officers from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team inspected a yellow Chevrolet pickup truck from Surin province that had lost control and crashed into a tree along the Chokchai-Det Udom Road heading into Prakhon Chai district near Ban Bodin, Phaisan subdistrict. They responded after being notified that the vehicle involved in the 05:20 incident also contained explosives.
Upon inspection, they found four mortar shells: two 60mm, one 81mm, and one 100mm. Additionally, over ten large firecrackers hidden inside a snack wrapper were discovered. The origin of these explosives is still unknown at this stage.
The driver, identified as Kittisak, 28, from Prasat district in Surin province, was alone in the vehicle and sustained critical injuries. He is currently hospitalized and unable to provide any information about where the explosives came from or their intended destination.
Initially, the EOD team collected the four mortar shells and handed them over to the ordnance unit for detailed examination.
Sgt. Witit Selaruk, EOD officer and Investigation Unit Commander, said the explosives found in the crashed vehicle included two 60mm, one 81mm, and one 100mm mortar shells, all quite old. They were collected and sent to investigators to be examined at the National Police Ordnance Division. Preliminary assessments suggest they likely originated from Cambodia, but official results are pending. Additionally, several low-intensity large firecrackers were found and will be processed further by investigators.
Meanwhile, Pol. Col. Wisanu Arpornphong, Superintendent of Prakhon Chai Police Station, advised the public that if they encounter any suspicious objects, they must not touch, move, or approach them. Instead, they should maintain a safe distance and immediately report to emergency number 191 or local police for prompt investigation to ensure safety.