Scavengers warned, live ammo on army firing range
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Scavengers warned, live ammo on army firing range

An exploded rocket-propelled grenade found at the house of a scrap collector in Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday. The 54-year-old man was killed by the explosion. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)
An exploded rocket-propelled grenade found at the house of a scrap collector in Pak Thong Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday. The 54-year-old man was killed by the explosion. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA - The army has warned people not to scavenge for metal at a local firing range as there is still unexploded live ordnance in the area.

Col Yunyong Saenghad, head of the 2nd Army's public relations centre, said on Wednesday the firing range, between Pak Thong Chai and Wang Nam Khieo districts, is a prohibited zone.

People who enter the area looking for scrap metal from exploded artillery shells would be risking their lives. Live ammunition was used during a recent military exercise and there was still unexploded ordnance in the ground there.

Col Yunyong Saenghad, head of 2nd Army's public relations centre, warns locals not to enter a military firing range in Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

Col Yunyong Saenghad, head of 2nd Army's public relations centre, warns locals not to enter a military firing range in Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

The fresh warning was issued after scrap dealer Saithong Hadsoongnoen, 54, was killed when a rocket-propelled grenade he collected from the firing range later exploded at his house in Pak Thong Chai district on March 5.

Authorities found evidence of an exploded RPG near the body and other usable grenades at his house.

Col Yunyong said an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team cleared the firing range after every live firing exercise shooting exercise. However, there were still some unexploded shells in the ground from the recent live drill.

Some people still ignored the warnings and entered the firing range, which covers several thousand rai of land, at night, he said.


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