The couple who own the fireworks warehouse in Su-Ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province, which exploded on July 29, have offered to surrender to police, according to Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief.
He said the couple, who fled to Kelantan state in Malaysia after the fatal incident, were expected to report to Narathiwat provincial police this afternoon (Saturday).
Twelve people were killed and over 100 were injured in the powerful explosion, which also damaged more than 300 houses in the same neighbourhood in Muno sub-district, about 50 of which were heavily damaged and will have to be demolished.
Heavy machinery was sent to the site of the explosion today (Saturday), to begin removal of the debris.
An official said that houses which are damaged beyond repair cannot be demolished yet, unless permission is granted by their owners.
One such owner said his house is insured and he expects to receive compensation after an assessment of the damage.
He expressed concern, however, that if he has received compensation from the insurance firm, he will not be entitled to compensation from the state.
He said that his house looks all right from the outside, but an engineer has told him that the structure of the house has been heavily damaged and it has to be demolished.
