Teen gangs hurl explosives in Korat park clash

2026-03-29 - 04:10

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 29 March 2026, A video circulating on social media shows rival groups of teenagers throwing improvised explosives and brandishing weapons during a violent clash at a public park in the centre of Korat, alarming local residents. The footage, posted by a Facebook user identified as “Rler Club”, shows a group of youths riding motorcycles near Nong Kae Chang pond behind Wat Pa Salawan in Nai Mueang subdistrict. Some are seen holding knives and throwing ping-pong bombs at rivals before stopping their motorcycles and moving in to confront them. The clip ends as police vehicles arrive, by which time the groups had fled. Reporters visiting the scene on 29 March found burn marks at more than eight points on the road, believed to have been caused by the explosive devices. Rangsarn Phuenchomphu, deputy head of the Nong Kae Chang community, said the violence had occurred on two consecutive nights. The first incident took place at around 01:00 on 27 March, when about eight ping-pong bombs were thrown amid shouting and insults. A second clash occurred at around midnight the following night in a nearby area, involving similar behaviour. He said the incidents had caused significant distress to residents, who have reported the matter to police. Community leaders are calling on authorities to take serious action to prevent further violence.