He said the explosion occurred as the boat reached the Wat Thepleela Pier, in one of the capital's working-class neighborhood, causing panic that prompted several passengers to jump into the water for safety.

A powerful gas explosion on a boat shuttling service between Wat Sribunruang temple and Pratunam in Klong Saensaep canal this morning left at least 40 passengers injured, two seriously.

Among the injured was a 16-year-old male Japanese student who sustained burns but his condition is not life-threatening, officials said.

While majority were released later, 14 of them are still receiving treatment, emergency officials said.

The incident threw several passengers from the crowded boat into the canal which also serves as a major waterway.

The boat belonged to Family Transport Co., whose director, Chaovalit Metayaprapas, apologized for the accident, adding that the company would take responsibility for all medical costs from the accident.

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Initial reports suggested that a fuel leak was the reason for the explosion.

Family Transport has 70 boats plying the Saen Saep canal.

The boat ran on both diesel and liquefied natural gas, Khao Sod reported.

The firm that runs the service is using only diesel on its boats.

"The LNG use had been approved properly by authorities and the installation was supervised by experts including from PTT Plc", he said, referring to the Thai state-owned oil company.


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