Police in Bangkok are investigating after rubbish collection workers made a shocking discovery — a live grenade hidden among trash near a roadside collection point in the Bang Khun Non area.
The incident happened on the morning of June 2, when workers sorting rubbish outside a bank spotted what appeared to be an explosive device mixed together with discarded waste. After taking a closer look, they quickly realised the object resembled a military-style grenade and immediately alerted authorities.
Officers from the local police station, together with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists, rushed to the scene at around 7.30am. The area was quickly sealed off as officers established a safety perimeter to prevent nearby pedestrians and motorists from getting too close.
According to reports, the explosive was identified as an MK 2 grenade, a type of fragmentation grenade commonly associated with military use. EOD personnel later conducted disposal procedures at the scene, with operations ending at approximately 9am.
SECURITY GUARD ARRIVES TO SEE POLICE CORDONING OFF AREA
A security guard working nearby said he arrived for work only to find police already surrounding the rubbish collection point. Members of the public were reportedly stopped from entering the area while bomb disposal officers carried out their work.
The collection point is said to be commonly used for rubbish sorting before waste trucks arrive each morning, which meant the grenade could easily have caused panic or severe injuries if accidentally triggered during handling.
Investigators are now reviewing nearby CCTV footage in an attempt to identify who abandoned the explosive device there.
Police believe the grenade may have been dumped by someone attempting to avoid being caught illegally possessing it.
THAILAND HAS SEEN MULTIPLE EXPLOSIVE SCARES IN RECENT YEARS
The latest incident has also raised concerns due to several previous explosive-related cases reported across Thailand in recent years.
Last year, police in Phuket arrested six suspects after explosive devices were discovered at multiple tourist hotspots, including Phuket International Airport, Patong Beach, Surin Beach and Promthep Cape. Authorities later stated the devices were allegedly planted to create fear and panic rather than cause mass casualties.
In another separate case, roadside explosive devices were also found abandoned among rubbish in Hua Hin’s Hin Lek Fai area. However, the final findings of that investigation were never publicly released.
The Bangkok grenade discovery has since sparked concern online, with many questioning how a live explosive device could end up discarded together with ordinary rubbish in a busy public area.