Prachinburi —
On October 26th, 2024, Thai national media reported an explosion erupted from a chemical mixing tank at a zinc production facility in Kabin Buri district, Prachinburi, killing two Burmese workers and injuring 28 others.
The facility, which primarily produces zinc, lead, and tin, had approximately 70 of its 232 employees on-site at the time.
Local officials from the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command confirmed that all deceased and injured are migrant workers from Myanmar. One worker died at the scene, while another succumbed to injuries at Kabin Buri Hospital.
Health Region 6 Inspector Dr. Manu Sukolsakul stated that the explosion occurred in a chemical mixing process involving lead and sulfuric acid, with two workers standing on the tank lid falling into a vat designed for melting steel and aluminum.
The site lacked clear signage identifying chemical hazards, according to a Chinese engineer on-site.
On the same day, Deputy Governor Chanathip Kokmani, alongside emergency response teams, arrived to assess the area, urging the public to avoid the factory site due to health risks from chemical exposure.
Under the Public Health Act, authorities have ordered the factory to suspend all operations pending safety inspections and necessary upgrades.