Phuket/Krabi – Security forces across southern Thailand remain on high alert after bomb squads disabled four explosive devices within 48 hours, including a concealed bomb at Phuket’s iconic Laem Promthep viewpoint and another buried in Patong Beach. The discoveries suggest a coordinated plot targeting the region’s vital tourism infrastructure.

Motorbike with suspected explosives destroyed at Phuket airport

Phuket’s EOD team conducted precision operations today to neutralize two additional devices. A tin-can explosive was found hidden between cement blocks at Laem Promthep, the island’s premier sunset viewing spot. Separately, a suspicious object buried near a tree on Patong Beach—initially appearing as an innocuous water canteen—was also destroyed. Both were disabled using high-pressure water jets, a controlled demolition method chosen to minimize collateral damage. These operations followed Tuesday’s airport motorcycle bomb scare and Wednesday’s beachfront device discovery.

The crisis spread to neighboring Krabi province today when authorities discovered and destroyed a suspected explosive device near a public sculpture in Muang district. Additionally, an abandoned motorcycle found at a local mosque is now under forensic examination, raising concerns about potential secondary threats.

PHUKET/KRABI: Police bomb squads destroyed suspected explosive devices in two southern tourist provinces on Thursday following the arrest of two suspects linked to a suspicious object found at the Phuket airport on Wednesday.

Two men arrested earlier confess to planting four… pic.twitter.com/IRqefBz55M

— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) June 26, 2025

Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum revealed critical information from two detained suspects from Pattani, who admitted delivering “four packages” to Phuket before their arrest in Phang Nga. Their vehicle contained bomb-making components including timers and circuitry. CCTV evidence suggests at least one additional suspect may still be at large in the region, prompting an island-wide manhunt.

While all popular sites remain open, authorities have implemented enhanced security measures. Around-the-clock EOD patrols now monitor major beaches, while mandatory bag checks have been instituted at transportation hubs. K9 units are conducting systematic sweeps of public spaces. The Tourism Authority of Thailand emphasized no tourist areas have been evacuated, though some visitors reported canceled excursions to affected locations as precautionary measures.

Bomb squads detonate a suspicious object found on Patong beach in Phuket

This story is developing as forensic teams analyze device components for signatures linking them to known Muslim insurgent groups.

-Thailand News (TN)