The annual Chinese New Year celebrations in downtown Suphan Buri, including spectacular fireworks displays, have given residents reasons to be nervous. Samran Sudto, a retired teacher, said the fireworks, which caused the tragedy on Tuesday night, were more terrifying than beautiful.
Most people living around the town hall, where the fireworks go off, move out every year because they know what to expect.
Some houses in the community were reduced to ashes after stray fireworks set them ablaze.
Her own home, which was badly damaged in the fire, is 50m from where the fire started. Ms. Samran said many residents were out watching the festival when the fire broke out.