Mayo: Officials inspected the damage caused by a motorcycle bomb near a police station in Mayo District, Pattani Province. They suspect the bomb was intended to create a situation and are rushing to review CCTV footage to track down the perpetrator.
According to Thai News Agency, CCTV footage from around 8:30 PM last night captured the moment the perpetrators' bomb-making motorcycle was left parked near the Irrigation Intersection in Village No. 5, Langa Subdistrict, Mayo District, Pattani. The explosion caused a loud noise and a fire.
The force of the explosion caused heavy damage to the Palas strategic police station 30 meters away, and shrapnel damaged several houses, shops, and cars belonging to villagers parked near the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured because at the time of the incident, there were seven police officers stationed at the station. After the attacker detonated the bomb, the officers at the station fired their guns into the air to prevent the attacker from attacking again. Motorists were shocked by the sound of the explosion and had to stop their cars suddenly and find a safe place to hide.
Another CCTV camera captured the suspect riding his motorcycle against traffic shortly before the incident. He is believed to have been riding to pick up a group of friends who had planted a motorcycle bomb and help them escape.
Following the incident, officials cordoned off the area and coordinated with bomb disposal and forensic teams to investigate. This morning, officials inspected the area again and found debris from a motorcycle bomb strewn across the area. Four officers' vehicles parked in a garage were damaged. The police box and adjacent buildings suffered extensive damage due to broken windows. Residents also came out to inspect their homes and report the damage to authorities.
Regarding the incident, Police Colonel Torlap Lengha, Superintendent of Mayo Police Station, believes there were at least two perpetrators who split up to commit the crime. The perpetrators are believed to be local allies who have committed numerous crimes in the past and are hoping to harm officers to create unrest in the southern border provinces.