At least three people were killed and dozens more injured when a grenade was thrown into the Red Cross Doi Loyfa fair in Umphang district, Tak province, late on Friday night. Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were arrested in connection with the attack.
The explosion occurred around 11:30 p.m. in front of a dance stage, where residents and visitors were enjoying the festivities. The blast sent people fleeing in panic, and many fell to the ground, according to witnesses.
Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, confirmed that three people were killed and 48 others were injured in the attack. Two victims died immediately from the blast, while the injured were rushed to Umphang Hospital for treatment after receiving first aid at the scene. Some Thai media outlets reported that the death toll was four.
In the aftermath, police and soldiers arrested two suspects: a Thai national and a member of the Karen National Union (KNU), identified only as Jorithu. Jorithu had been previously arrested for drug-related offenses in February. During questioning, he admitted to carrying the grenade in a shoulder bag, intending to target a rival gang.
The attack is believed to have been carried out with an improvised explosive device (IED), and authorities linked it to ongoing conflicts between teenage groups, which had reportedly started during the Songkran festival.
Manot Phoniam, the chief of Umphang district, stated that the fair had been held over seven nights, from December 8 to December 14, with additional security provided by village volunteers, police, and soldiers. The attack occurred at the traditional dance stage, one of several show stages at the event, which had drawn an estimated 8,000 to 9,000 attendees in the northern border district.
