At least 17 people were killed and 60 injured when dozens of blasts tore through a weapons store in north-eastern Thailand, Interior Minister Mr Purachai Piemsombun said.
The blasts went off at the army base in the Pakchong District of Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 260 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.
More than 10,000 residents from the surrounding area were evacuated to temporary shelters 12 miles away as rockets stored at the compound continued to explode for eight hours after the initial blast.
A hospital spokeswoman said army officers and villagers were among the injured, who mostly suffered cuts and burns.
Two seriously injured people were taken to hospitals in Nakhon Ratchasima and Saraburi provinces.
Police said it was too dangerous to approach the depot and that casualties may rise much higher.
AFP