Thai Times

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Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

Tragedy Strikes Tak Province: Blast at Red Cross Fair Leaves Four Dead and 48 Injured

Tragedy Strikes Tak Province: Blast at Red Cross Fair Leaves Four Dead and 48 Injured

A festive gathering is marred by violence as an improvised explosive device detonates, prompting a police investigation in Thailand's Umphang district.
In a devastating turn of events, a blast rocked the Red Cross fair in Umphang district, Tak province, Thailand, in the early hours of Saturday.

The explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device, claimed the lives of four individuals and left 48 others injured, further darkening the upbeat atmosphere of the annual Paen Din Doi Loy Fah festival.

Witness accounts indicate the explosion occurred amidst a packed gathering of revellers participating in a dancing event organized by the Tak Red Cross Society.

As the night was in full swing, chaos broke out when the device went off, killing two people instantly.

The shock and desperation of the moment were palpable, with emergency services rushing to the scene to manage the injured and transport them to local medical facilities.

Two more victims tragically succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to Umphang Hospital, raising the death toll to four.

Among the injured, reports have confirmed the presence of a 14-year-old, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attack.

As community members reel from the shock, police have launched an urgent investigation to locate and apprehend the individual responsible.

Descriptions from witnesses suggest that the perpetrator threw the explosive device into a crowd of festival-goers, an action thought to defy the behavior of ordinary citizens.

Preliminary findings indicate that the device possibly featured military-grade characteristics, underscoring the severity of the attack.

Tak police chief, Pol Maj-General Samrit Ekamol, visited the site of the explosion personally.

He has tasked law enforcement teams from Umphang and Mae Sot stations with tracking the attacker, assuring the community of their active efforts to resolve the case swiftly.

The incident has shaken the usually peaceful district, as authorities work tirelessly to ensure justice and restore a sense of safety to the affected community.

While the immediate focus remains on capturing the suspect and treating the injured, the implications of the attack raise broader questions about security measures at public gatherings and the potential motives behind such an audacious act.

As investigators continue their work, the people of Tak province are left grappling with the aftermath and the challenge of coming together in the wake of tragedy.
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