Mushroom hunter finds live M67 grenade, nearly triggers explosion with knife

TAK — A mushroom hunter in Tak province narrowly avoided a potentially fatal accident after discovering an M67 fragmentation grenade hidden beneath dry leaves in the woods and using a knife to pry it out before realising what it was.

The discovery was reported to local authorities, who alerted Tak provincial police. Police chief Pol. Maj. Gen. Songphon Sangkhasem ordered an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team led by Pol. Lt. Col. Somkiat Mankaew to investigate urgently.

The grenade was found in scrubland about 20 metres from a dirt road branching off the old Phahonyothin route between Tak and Wang Chao, approximately five kilometres from Tak city.

Officers secured the area and examined the object, identifying it as an M67 anti-personnel fragmentation grenade. According to the EOD team, the grenade’s pin had been pulled, but its safety mechanism had not been fully disengaged, preventing it from detonating.

The team safely recovered the grenade and planned to destroy it in a designated safe area.

Wang Hin subdistrict headman Charan Sonkaew said the incident could have ended in tragedy. The mushroom hunter had spotted a round, green object partly exposed beneath leaves near a tree. After clearing the leaves and using a knife to pry the object out, the person realised it was an explosive device and quickly alerted local leaders.

Charan and local administrative officials inspected the site before contacting provincial police to request the EOD team.

Pol. Lt. Col. Somkiat urged the public not to touch or approach suspicious objects that resemble grenades or other explosives. People should move away and promptly notify a village headman, assistant headman or police so trained personnel can respond.

He said provincial police EOD teams were on standby around the clock to handle explosive hazards and protect public safety.