A man from Lop Buri province in central Thailand has suffered life-altering injuries after a live M79 grenade exploded in his home. The blast, which occurred as he tried to disassemble the explosive device for its copper parts, resulted in the loss of his left leg and critical injuries to his right leg.

The incident took place on August 3, 2025, in the Thasala district. Emergency responders and police from Mueang Lop Buri Police Station rushed to the scene after receiving reports of an explosion at a residential property. Due to fears of additional explosives, rescuers cautiously entered the house where they found 33-year-old Wuttichai Tathong severely injured and barely conscious.

Video footage shared by Thai news outlet Channel 8 showed responders struggling to extract the victim safely. Neighbours reported that Wuttichai had a habit of collecting scrap metal and suspected he had found the grenade while foraging for bamboo shoots in nearby mountains.

Dangerous Side Hustle: Scrap Metal from Explosives

One neighbour, identified only as Thanarak, told local reporters that Wuttichai had previously scavenged for recyclable materials in remote areas and was known to sell scrap copper for extra income. The M79 grenade is a military-grade weapon, and it is believed he was unaware of its full danger or attempted to disassemble it despite knowing the risks.

A nearby resident was also reported injured, though their condition remains unclear. Police have launched an investigation and are now combing the surrounding area to ensure there are no other undetonated explosives.

Authorities have also issued a strong public advisory against attempting to tamper with or dismantle any military-grade items, especially those found in forests or near military training zones. They are urging anyone who comes across suspicious items to report them immediately to the local Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.

Surge in Explosive-Related Incidents in Thailand

This is the latest in a troubling trend of explosive-related accidents across Thailand. In May, an Australian national was detained at Phuket International Airport after authorities discovered a grenade launcher and bomb components in his luggage. Investigations are still ongoing into how the weapons were acquired and what the man intended to do with them.

In a separate incident, a garbage collector in Hua Hin uncovered a stash of explosives—including a block of C4, a live M61 fragmentation grenade, and anti-personnel mines—hidden beside a rubbish bin. The EOD unit confirmed all items were live and fully functional. These repeated discoveries raise serious questions about the movement and accessibility of dangerous weapons within civilian zones.

Growing Safety Concerns & Calls for Crackdown

The increasing number of explosive discoveries and mishandling cases has prompted calls for stricter monitoring and public awareness campaigns across Thailand. Officials are urging residents not to take risks in pursuit of scrap metal or recyclables, especially when dealing with unidentified military items.

With authorities stepping up investigations and safety checks in high-risk areas, the spotlight now turns to how these deadly weapons are ending up in the hands of civilians — and how to prevent future tragedies.

A chilling crime has surfaced in Bangkok after a 33-year-old Thai man surrendered himself to police, confessing to the murder of his 73-year-old mother and revealing that he had hidden her body in a bathtub filled with cement.

The man, identified only as Tarn, turned himself in at Romklao Police Station on Monday, August 4. He led officers to his residence in Soi Romklao 27, located in the Lat Krabang district, where a strong odour was detected emanating from the bathroom. Upon investigation, authorities discovered a bathtub concealed with layers of cement, beneath which lay the decomposing body of Tarn’s mother, Worranan.

Claimed Motive: “She Complained Too Much”

According to local media reports, Tarn confessed to strangling his mother, claiming her persistent complaints drove him to commit the act. He reportedly first filled the bathtub with clothes before encasing the body with multiple layers of cement — possibly in an attempt to mask the smell and delay discovery.

Rescue personnel from Rom Sai and Ruam Katanyu Foundations were called in to assist in the recovery of the body. While details remain under investigation, it has been reported that Tarn has a history of mental health issues. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of psychiatric evaluation as part of their ongoing inquiry.

Tarn is now in police custody and assisting with further investigations.

Not the First Cement-Covered Corpse Case in Bangkok

Disturbingly, this incident mirrors several other gruesome discoveries in recent years involving cement-concealed bodies in Thailand. Just last year, the body of a 12-year-old girl was found hidden in a 200-litre ice cooler filled with fertiliser soil and cement. Her adoptive father, allegedly under the influence of drugs and known for violent tendencies, was accused of killing her after accusing her of theft.

In another separate case, three South Korean nationals were arrested for the murder of a fellow countryman in Pattaya. They disposed of the victim’s body in a barrel, also filled with cement, which was later found submerged in a reservoir. Two of the suspects were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Response

This latest murder has sparked alarm on Thai social media, with many expressing horror at the brutality and premeditated nature of the crime. It also highlights broader concerns about untreated mental health conditions and the need for community awareness and intervention.

Police have yet to disclose the full extent of Tarn’s criminal responsibility, pending the results of psychiatric assessments. If declared mentally fit, he could face serious criminal charges, including premeditated murder and improper disposal of a corpse.

The case continues to unfold, with the authorities urging the public to report any signs of suspected abuse or mental distress among individuals in their communities.

Photo via Matichon

A desperate search is underway in northern Thailand after three young girls, aged seven to nine, went missing from their boarding school in Chiang Mai province on the night of August 3. The girls reportedly slipped away from the dormitory in the early hours, sparking concern among authorities and widespread alarm among the local community.

The children – Natnicha Phewkaew (7), Jomkwan Siamlai (9) and Kamonnit Wilai (9) – were last seen leaving Rajaprajanugroh 30 School, located in the Tha Ton sub-district of Mae Ai, an area close to the Myanmar border.

CCTV footage captured the trio walking alone along a road near Mae Ai Luang Temple, Thairath School, and Mae Ai Fresh Market. Two of the girls were seen holding umbrellas, walking in the dark at around 1am.

Authorities Deploy Drones, Urge Public to Stay Vigilant

The Mae Ai Police Station has launched a full-scale search operation and is now working closely with community leaders across 15 surrounding villages. Drones will be deployed in forested and residential areas to assist in the search. The use of drones comes amid concerns over Thailand’s temporary nationwide drone ban, but authorities reassured the public that search efforts remain lawful and focused on child safety.

The police believe the girls may have entered one of the nearby residential communities, including Ban San Kong, Ban San Phak La, Ban Hong, Ban Pu Chae, and Ban Huay San, among others.

At this point, the school has not issued an official statement explaining how or why the children managed to escape undetected during the night. Thai netizens have speculated that homesickness may have motivated the girls’ decision to leave, though many question why no staff intervened.

Online, the case has gone viral on Thai social media, with widespread calls for improved safety protocols in school dormitories. Many users expressed disbelief that such young children could vanish without staff knowledge, with some questioning the adequacy of school security measures.

Missing Persons Cases Highlight Need for Child Safety Reform

This incident is the latest in a troubling pattern of missing child cases across the region. With increasing scrutiny on boarding institutions and youth care facilities, there is mounting pressure on both the Ministry of Education and local authorities to strengthen oversight, particularly in rural and border districts.

As the search continues, police urge residents of Chiang Mai and nearby provinces to stay alert and report any sightings. The hope is that with public help, the three girls can be found safe and reunited with their families soon.

This is a developing story.

Popular Taiwanese entertainer NONO, whose real name is Chen Hsuan-Yu, is facing serious legal repercussions after being officially indicted for sexual assault and molestation. The case, which previously saw a dismissal, has now taken a dramatic turn following a reinvestigation ordered by the High Prosecutors Office.

According to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office, NONO is accused of sexually assaulting two women, identified as A3 and A5, between 2011 and 2013. The authorities have filed formal charges under Article 221 (forcible sexual intercourse) and Article 224 (indecent assault) of the Taiwan Criminal Code, and are urging the courts to impose a heavier sentence, citing the defendant’s lack of remorse and abuse of fame.

Serious Allegations Dating Back a Decade

Prosecutors revealed that the first incident occurred at a lifestyle massage parlour in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, where NONO allegedly assaulted a woman providing him massage services. During the session, he is said to have exposed himself and forcibly engaged in intercourse using his physical advantage to restrain the victim on a beauty chair.

In a separate incident around December 2011, NONO allegedly contacted a woman through social media after she liked a post related to one of his programmes. He later picked her up in a white Mercedes-Benz in Taipei’s Songshan District. As soon as the woman entered the car, he allegedly forced a kiss using his tongue and groped her chest, completing the act of molestation.

MeToo Movement Gave Victims Courage to Speak Out

The accusations only came to light in 2023, amid the growing momentum of the MeToo movement in Taiwan, which saw numerous survivors sharing their stories of harassment and assault. Empowered by this cultural shift, both A3 and A5 came forward to report their traumatic experiences involving NONO.

Initially, the case was closed by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office without indictment. However, the High Prosecutors Office overturned the decision in 2025 and sent the case back for further investigation, citing compelling evidence and inconsistencies. The case was then transferred to the Shilin District Prosecutors Office, which has now concluded its investigation and moved forward with formal prosecution.

Prosecutors Condemn Abuse of Fame and Lack of Remorse

In their statement, the prosecutors condemned NONO’s actions, stating:

“As a well-known public figure, the accused exploited his fame to prey on victims and cause serious psychological and physical trauma. Even after the events surfaced, he showed no genuine remorse or accountability.”

NONO had earlier announced a suspension of his entertainment activities via Facebook in June 2023, stating that he would reflect on his behaviour. Despite his public retreat, investigators continued to pursue the case, even obtaining multiple mobile phones as evidence through a search warrant executed in August 2023.

Case Timeline

The case will now proceed to the Shilin District Court, where a judge will determine NONO’s legal fate. If convicted, he could face significant jail time under Taiwan’s criminal law.

This ongoing legal battle underscores the importance of due process and reflects the growing impact of the MeToo movement in Taiwan and beyond, encouraging more survivors to speak out — regardless of how much time has passed.