Fishing Hunters' Gunfire Bursts Water Pipe, Over 1,000 Households Without Water
Spear fishermen's stray shots ruptured a water main in Pathum Thani on August 10, leaving over 1,000 households without water for more than a day despite emergency repairs.
Over 1,000 households in Bang Pud subdistrict, Pathum Thani Province, have suffered water shortages after recreational spear fishermen accidentally ruptured a water main pipe on August 10. Local official Natthabutz Janthong took media representatives to inspect damage to the 3-inch diameter pipe located beneath a bridge over Khlong Prem Prachakon near Chiang Rak railway station, where spear gun projectiles had pierced the thick pipe. Water supply was cut off to communities in tambon divisions 1 and 5 beginning that afternoon. Although municipal repair crews replaced the damaged section and completed work by midday on August 11, residents at the far end of the distribution line remained without water due to insufficient pressure. This is not the first incident—similar accidents have occurred three to four times before. Janthong appealed to spear fishermen to aim carefully at fish and avoid striking the water infrastructure that supplies the community, noting that officials cannot prohibit fishing but urging hunters to be more precise with their shots.
