MUNDOK: The warehouse storing fireworks and firecrackers that exploded yesterday was the biggest in the Narathiwat province and known to supply goods to Malaysia.
Narathiwat assemblyman Samphan Mat Yusof said the warehouse was built a year ago in the Mundok market, and confirmed that many Malaysians got firecrackers and fireworks from it.
"The explosion was the biggest in Southern Thailand in the past few years and the Thai government has promised to assist families of the victims."
He added that the Thai police were investigating the cause of the incident.
"Many people died in the tragedy and authorities are getting to the bottom of it."
It is learnt that the warehouse operator had obtained huge supplies of fireworks recently and was waiting to send them to Malaysia for the Merdeka celebration.
It was believed that the operator and his family had gone to Malaysia for a holiday, leaving four workers at the premises.
The four among 11 people killed in the 3.30pm (local time) incident. At least 111 others were injured.
The explosion also caused 330 villagers to suffer huge losses after their homes and other structures were damaged from the blast.
The affected homes were located within 500m from the warehouse.
The explosion also damaged vehicles, schools and government department's offices.
Local authorities have set up a centre for the victims to report their losses.
Meanwhile, the Thai government has estimated property losses, suffered by victims of the Mundok firework warehouse explosion, to be about RM14 million.
Narathiwat Governor Sanan Pongaksorn said the estimation, however, could be more based on the huge damages suffered by the victims.
"The Thai government is really shocked by the incident. It is tragic as many people were killed.
"At the moment, we estimated losses to be about RM14 million but it might be more as we are still gathering the details," he told reporters when visiting the explosion site today.
Accompanying him was Thai 4th Region commander Lt General Shanti Shakuntanak.
Sanan said the Thai government was also working on compensation to the victims and those affected by the incident.
"The amount will depend on the damages suffered by them," he said, adding that army personnel were being deployed to the scene to help the victims and assist in the clearing works.
"When the clearing works are completed, the army will help the local authorities in the repair works and construction of new buildings in the area," he added.