Bangkok-
A fire ripped through three empty passenger boats moored along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok late Sunday evening, leaving the vessels completely gutted but causing no injuries to people.
According to police reports, the blaze erupted at approximately 6:43 p.m. local time on an unoccupied passenger boat docked at the Wat Ratchasingkhon pier in the Bang Kholaem district. Flames quickly spread to two adjacent boats within just four minutes, fueled by the wooden structures and possibly influenced by strong winds along the river. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the securing ropes snapped under the heat, allowing the burning vessels to drift into the middle of the river, illuminating the night sky with orange flames.
Firefighters from the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department responded fast, arriving at the scene shortly after the initial alert. They managed to bring the fire under control by 7:02 p.m. and fully extinguished it by 7:25 p.m., preventing it from spreading to nearby piers or other boats. Videos circulating on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the river, with emergency crews using hoses from shore and smaller vessels to douse the inferno.
“No casualties were reported, and there were no passengers on board the boats at the time,” said a spokesperson for the Bangkok Metropolitan Police. “The boats were empty and used for tourist transport during the day. We’re grateful the situation didn’t escalate further.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Preliminary assessments suggest it may have originated from an electrical fault or discarded materials in the initial boat, though authorities have not ruled out arson or accidental ignition. Police have cordoned off the area around Wat Ratchasingkhon pier.
The Chao Phraya River serves as a crucial artery for Bangkok’s transportation network, with passenger boats ferrying commuters and tourists between key landmarks like the Grand Palace and modern shopping districts. This incident marks the latest in a series of maritime mishaps in Thailand, following a spate of boat fires earlier in the year off the coasts of Koh Tao and Phang Nga provinces, where engine failures and fuel issues led to evacuations and injuries.
Environmental experts are monitoring potential pollution from the charred debris, which sank partially into the river after drifting. Cleanup operations are underway, with divers assisting in recovering remnants to prevent navigation hazards.
