Police bomb squads safely neutralised several suspected explosive devices across Phuket and Krabi provinces on Thursday, following the arrest of two suspects linked to a suspicious object found at Phuket International Airport earlier this week.
Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, accompanied by officers from Provincial Police Region 8, responded to a report of a suspicious object discovered approximately 200 metres from Dolphin Park at Patong Beach.
The team arrived at the scene around 11am and used a high-pressure water cannon to disable any potential detonation circuits, successfully rendering the device safe. The area was cordoned off to ensure public safety during the operation.
Later that day, the same team was dispatched to Promthep Cape in tambon Rawai of Muang district, where they located another suspicious object embedded in concrete near the cape’s popular sunset viewpoint. That device was also safely destroyed.
“An initial examination confirms the devices produced noise but posed no real threat to life or property,” said Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, commander of Phuket provincial police, at a press briefing Thursday afternoon.
Police said the device at Promthep Cape had been hidden under concrete in an area with little to no foot traffic, reinforcing the theory that the aim was to cause fear, not physical harm.
Investigations are ongoing to determine whether more such devices are present. EOD units remain on high alert, ready to respond to new reports, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert added.
Phuket governor Sophon Suwannarat urged calm, stating that the authorities had the situation under control.
“There is no significant cause for concern,” he said.
“Based on current evidence, none of the suspicious items found so far are explosive or destructive. Forensic police are conducting further verification, but initial findings suggest these were meant to create panic rather than cause harm.”
Officials believe the suspicious items, believed to be noise-making devices, are linked to efforts to instill fear on the tourist island. Police are also exploring connections to an earlier firearms-related case.
In response, security has been tightened throughout Phuket. All individuals entering the island are now subject to enhanced screening measures.
“We are confident that with cooperation from all sectors, the situation will stabilise in the coming days,” said Governor Sophon.
He called on the public to remain vigilant and to report any unusual objects or suspicious behaviour to the authorities immediately.
He also confirmed that international tourism organisations had been briefed on the situation to prevent misinformation and reassure potential visitors.
A photo released by Phuket police showed one of the suspicious items found embedded in concrete at Promthep Cape before it was safely destroyed.
Suspects Confess to Planting Devices
The intensified security measures come after two men — identified as Sulaiman Kacha, 27, and Muhama Wadeng, 29 — were arrested on Tuesday in Muang district, Phangnga province. Explosive devices were found in their vehicle at the time of arrest.
On Wednesday, both suspects were taken to Hat Yai police station in Songkhla before being transferred to the Southern Border Provinces Police Operations Centre in Yala for further questioning.
According to investigators, the suspects confessed to planting four devices: one in a motorcycle abandoned near Phuket International Airport, two at Patong Beach, and one at Promthep Cape. They also claimed to have two accomplices who remain at large.
Authorities confirmed that all four devices mentioned during the interrogation have been located and neutralised.
Additional Threat Found in Krabi
In a related development, police in Krabi responded to another bomb scare around 11.30am on Thursday. A suspicious device was discovered at the Mahad wood sculpture installation on Uttarakit Road in tambon Pak Nam, just 30 metres from a traffic police booth.
EOD officers confirmed the device was an improvised time bomb, which was safely defused. A police source noted that the timing mechanism on the device bore similarities to those recovered from the two suspects.
Separately, a motorcycle suspected to be linked to the case was found abandoned near the central mosque in Krabi. Authorities are preparing to inspect the vehicle.
Officials have urged the public to remain alert and to report any further suspicious activity. The investigation continues.
