Narathiwat: Police raided a house and summoned a suspect in the car bomb attack for intense questioning at Tan Yong Police Station. Authorities are intensifying their hunt for the perpetrators of a car bomb attack in front of Tangyong Police Station in Narathiwat province. A 37-year-old suspect was recently searched and taken into custody for questioning.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage captured the moment a car bomb exploded in front of the old Tan Yong Police Station in Narathiwat province. Two suspects, one driving a Mitsubishi Lancer with fake license plates and the other on a motorcycle, followed from the roundabout at the Kalawu Nuea Subdistrict Administrative Organization. Upon reaching the three-way intersection, the suspect slowed down, steered the car right, opened the door, let it roll, jumped out, and fled on the motorcycle driven by his accomplice. They headed towards the road beside the Tan Yong Police Station, past a mosque, which leads to Tak Bai district.
In a split second, as the suspect was running to his motorcycle, an improvised explosive device weighing over 70 kilograms, concealed in two picnic containers and cooking gas cylinders, exploded violently. The suspect detonated the devices using a remote control, resulting in minor injuries from shrapnel to Sergeant Major Apisit Anuchat, the patrol officer on duty at the Tan Yong Police Station.
Following the explosion, flames engulfed the wreckage of the car bomb and a four-door police pickup truck parked nearby. Authorities quickly dispatched fire trucks to extinguish the blaze amidst panic. The explosion shattered almost all of the windows at the Tan Yong Police Station building. The car bomb was torn apart into two large pieces, and car parts and bomb debris were scattered all over the ground.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle had been illegally transferred from Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province, before being used in the area. Authorities have identified a suspect and raided his wife's house in Bang Po Subdistrict, Mueang Narathiwat District, but the suspect escaped. They are now preparing to expand the investigation to his birthplace in Suai Ngai Padi District.
In the morning, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, and Mr. Boonchuey Homyamyen, Governor of Narathiwat Province, visited the scene to expedite the investigation. The incident site has been cleared, with black netting covering the damage, while workers are urgently rebuilding the damaged perimeter fence. Initially, it is believed that this incident was carried out by the same group of violent insurgents who have previously used the same method in three previous attacks in Narathiwat Province, aiming to create unrest and fear in the area.
It was recently discovered that the owner of the car used in the car bomb attack has two outstanding arrest warrants: 1. For the shooting and bombing incident at the Suai Ngai Kolok District Office in Narathiwat Province on March 8, 2025, and 2. For the robbery of a Yaowarat Bangkok-style shop inside a shopping mall in Suai Ngai Kolok District, Narathiwat Province on October 5, 2025.
The evidence, including fragments of the car bomb and the pickup truck belonging to Sergeant Major Apisit, was moved and piled up on the roadside in front of the new Tan Yong Police Station building for forensic examination.
Meanwhile, officers are reviewing CCTV footage along both routes leading to the old Tan Yong Police Station to observe the behavior of the perpetrators, both before and after the incident, to determine their escape routes and whether there were any accomplices. Local residents revealed that they heard a very loud noise during the incident because they were only 50 meters away. They also stated that such an incident had never occurred in the area before, making it difficult for them to earn a living due to widespread fear.
The Prime Minister has been informed of the car bomb incident, stating that it was caused by multiple factors. Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul commented on last night's car bomb incident, stating that everyone must perform their duties to the best of their ability. The most important thing is to try every possible way to prevent suffering to the public, especially to avoid injuries and fatalities.
Regarding the ongoing peace negotiations in the southern border provinces, chaired by Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha as the advisory chairman, the process continues with the negotiators appointed by me, including Mr. Thanat Suwannanon, Director of the National Intelligence Agency, working together fully. I point out that there are multiple causes of the conflict, but the most important thing is to have the most effective intelligence gathering and prevention measures.
Colonel Ekwarith Chobchuporn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward, revealed that evidence found at the scene indicated the vehicle used in the attack was a gray Mitsubishi Lancer. The perpetrators used a fake license plate, which was later found to belong to a gray Nissan Sunny owned by Mr. Prajak, residing in Lad Yao District, Nakhon Sawan Province. This demonstrates the plate was used to evade tracking. The vehicle used in the attack, a gray Mitsubishi Lancer, matches the registration information of a vehicle owned by Ms. Penpak, residing in Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province. CCTV footage revealed the vehicle passed through the Phaiwan checkpoint at approximately 6:47 PM, shortly before the explosion. Authorities are currently gathering further evidence to track down the perpetrators, accomplices, and to expand the investigation to include those who supplied, modified, and planned the attack, in order to prosecute them according to the law.
Authorities raided a residence and took one suspect into custody for intense questioning. Additionally, officials searched the suspect's residence in Bang Po Subdistrict, Mueang Narathiwat District, and took Mr. Aliya, 37 years old, to the interrogation center at Chulabhorn Camp in Mueang Narathiwat District to gather information for further investigation.
Security agencies have increased security measures around government buildings, checkpoints, and high-risk areas, and have instructed all units to intensify inspections of suspicious vehicles to prevent further incidents and restore public confidence.