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.