A smoker was killed when his new e-cigarette exploded in his face in Thailand.

Ambulance driver Pirun Suriyo, 47, was last seen alive by his family after having breakfast at home following his night shift in Nong Bua Lamphu, Thailand, on October 18.

Pirun went out to fish at a nearby creek but was found dead two hours later with severe wounds to his face, hand, and chest.

Officers said the battery in an e-cigarette vape device that Pirun had just received may have exploded while he was smoking, sending shrapnel into his body.

Footage shows police and medics arriving at the scene. Blood was visible on Pirun's motorcycle, while his fishing rod lay nearby.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Phakawat Bongkaew of the Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station said: 'Investigators gathered information, checked security camera footage, and collected evidence at the scene.'

Pirun's body was sent to Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen for an autopsy.

Forensic doctors found fatal wounds on several parts of his body, including his face, hand, and chest, with pieces of the e-cigarette embedded in the wounds.

The autopsy result determined the cause of death was severe damage to his lungs and heart, which officers believes was due to the battery explosion.

Three pieces of metal shrapnel were recovered from his chest, identified as fragments from the device.

Pirun also sustained deep lacerations to the inner and outer mouth, with soot marks from combustion found inside his mouth and on his left hand.

Authorities have since warned e-cigarette users to be cautious of potential equipment malfunctions, particularly faulty or overheating batteries that could explode without warning.

E-cigarette batteries can explode because they use lithium-ion cells that may overheat or short-circuit. Overcharging, using the wrong charger, or carrying loose batteries can trigger an explosion.