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The accident took place at 9.30pm in a rice field located one kilometre from Nong Waeng Yai village in Tambon Kham Bia. About 100 villagers had gathered to watch the display.

Anukul Saengboonmee, 29, Panom Kamolkhan, 75, Damrong Khamying, 26, Jamnong Chamnanyong, 36, and deputy abbot of Wat Kham Bia Phra Charee Sukaro, 42, died at the scene, Pho Chai district chief Pradit Sriprasith said yesterday.

Police recovered Bt50,000 in cash from the scene. The money was reportedly to be the winner's purse in a contest for the best home-made rocket.

An investigation found that, after three rockets were fired into the air, the fourth - 80 centimetres long - exploded on the ground while Phra Charee was about to light it, said Pol Lt-Colonel Nethiwat Chantra of Pho Chai police station.

Yesterday afternoon, 62-year-old rice-field owner Somboon Tungkhuna found a yellow-cloth bag containing Bt400,000 in cash that reportedly belonged to Phra Charee. He handed the bag and its contents it to the police.