Southern Thailand Car Bomb Linked to Two IEDs, Authorities Intensify Probe

FORENSIC investigation of a car bomb explosion at Far South Narathiwat province’s old Tanyong police station at 7.20 p.m. last night (July 21) shows the sedan was rigged with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) with fake licence plates attached, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit of the Special Operations Division said a grey Mitsubishi Lancer sedan was used in the blast with the licence plates belonging to a different vehicle registered to someone else, not the car used in the attack. Examination of the wreckage and analysis of the engine number revealed that this sedan was linked to an individual with an outstanding arrest warrant. Investigation is ongoing to gather evidence and bring those involved to justice. The IEDs were concealed inside the vehicle with two gas cylinders, one 4kg and the other 15kg, used as containers. Authorities are currently conducting detailed analysis of the bomb components and construction method and comparing them to previous security cases to analyse whether there is a connection to the same perpetrators. This information will be crucial in expanding the investigation. Following the incident, security agencies increased surveillance in high-risk areas and at government buildings with all units instructed to intensify inspection of suspicious vehicles to prevent further attacks. Officials also found out that before the blast, one suspect drove the sedan to the old police station and after parking it pushed it close to the target, ran and hopped onto a motorcycle driven by an accomplice and fled. No one was injured in the explosion with only property being damaged, PPTVHD36 said. Meanwhile Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that peace negotiations for the Far South would continue, and he is working closely with the Thai team of negotiators, including Mr. Thanat Suwannanon, director of the National Intelligence Agency. He had also mentioned the peace talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during his trip there earlier this month, Amarin TV said. There are multiple causes for the car bomb blast, he said, adding the most important factor is to have the best intelligence gathering and prevention measures.