PHETCHABUN — A car was badly damaged by fire in central Thailand after a candle used in a traditional blessing ritual ignited the vehicle’s front bumper and engine compartment, rescue workers said.
The incident occurred on Jan 2 in Phutoi subdistrict, Wichian Buri district, in Phetchabun province. Volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were called to a house where a white Isuzu MU-X SUV was on fire while parked inside the property.
Firefighters used foam to extinguish the blaze, which was concentrated at the front of the vehicle. The engine compartment and front bumper were completely destroyed, officials said.
According to initial inquiries, the car’s owner had earlier performed a ritual to honor Mae Yanang, a spirit believed by some Thais to protect vehicles and travelers. As part of the offering, the owner lit incense sticks and candles and placed them on the ground in front of the car near the bumper before going inside the house.
Authorities believe heat from the candle flames ignited plastic components of the front bumper, allowing the fire to spread quickly into the engine area.
The owner noticed the fire only after it had grown intense and immediately called municipal firefighters and rescue volunteers, who arrived in time to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
What is Mae Yanang?
Mae Yanang is a guardian spirit rooted in ancient Thai and Southeast Asian belief systems. Originally associated with boats, the spirit is now widely believed by some people to protect modern forms of transportation such as cars, motorcycles and even airplanes.
Many Thais perform small blessing rituals — especially when buying a new vehicle or during festivals such as Songkran — by offering incense, candles, flowers or food to ask for safety, good fortune and accident-free travel.
Rescue workers cautioned that lighting open flames near vehicles — especially close to fuel lines, plastic parts or engine components — poses a serious fire risk.
The foundation thanked local residents for alerting authorities quickly, preventing further damage.
