PATHUM THANI — 30 March 2026, A suspected gas explosion destroyed a townhouse and damaged eight neighbouring homes in Pathum Thani province early on Monday, officials said, though no injuries were reported.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chonthan Promraksa, an investigator at Suan Prik Thai Police Station, was alerted to the blast inside the Chao Phraya Villa housing estate in Ban Klang, Mueang district. He and emergency responders rushed to the scene.
The explosion struck a two-storey corner townhouse, causing severe structural damage and leaving the property almost entirely destroyed.
A family of four, parents and their children, were inside at the time but escaped unharmed. The blast also damaged eight neighbouring houses, as well as one motorcycle and one car.
The homeowner, 46-year-old Pawannaphat Pranatphong, said she had been asleep upstairs with her children when a loud explosion shook the house, causing the ceiling to collapse. She attempted to flee via the stairs but found them destroyed, forcing the family to climb out through the damaged structure.
She said the blast sent shockwaves through adjacent homes, causing widespread damage. Authorities were notified shortly afterwards.
Initial investigations suggest the explosion was caused by a gas leak, possibly due to a valve not being fully closed. The homeowner said the gas had last been used for cooking at around 10:00 the previous day, and the family later went out for dinner before returning home at about 20:00, with no smell of gas detected before going to bed.
Pathum Thani governor Ekkawit Mipian visited the site and ordered disaster prevention and public works officials to inspect the structural integrity of affected buildings and cordon off hazardous areas over fears of collapse.
Temporary shelter has been set up at the estate’s administrative building for affected residents, with local authorities providing basic necessities. Engineers will conduct detailed inspections of all damaged homes to prevent further structural failures.
