Fishing boats gutted in 4-hour blaze, 8 vessels destroyed, losses exceed 10 million baht

2026-03-20 - 03:20

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — 20 March 2026, A fire tore through a cluster of fishing boats in Khanom district early Friday, burning for about four hours and destroying eight vessels, with damage estimated at more than 10 million baht. Police were alerted to the blaze at around 01:00 at a fishing pier in Khanom. Officers from Khanom Police Station, marine police, and local rescue units rushed to the scene. Firefighters found intense flames engulfing a group of older fishing boats moored at a raft area in Khlong Khanom. The fire spread to nearby structures, while strong winds hampered efforts to contain it. Crews took approximately four hours to bring the blaze under control. Initial reports indicate that all eight fishing boats were completely destroyed. Authorities suspect the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit on one vessel, which then spread to others. However, police have not ruled out arson and are still investigating the exact cause. It remains unclear which boat was the source of the fire. A witness said one burning boat broke free after its mooring rope snapped and drifted into nearby vessels, causing the flames to spread rapidly from one boat to another. Forensic officers will conduct a detailed examination of the scene to determine the cause. Speculation has circulated that the fire could be linked to frustration over high fuel prices and shortages, though this has not been confirmed. Reports also suggest the boats belong to the family of a parliamentary candidate who was not elected. The fleet is said to be among the largest in Nakhon Si Thammarat, consisting mainly of large single-trawl fishing vessels. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.