Southern parks, towns on alert after IEDs defused in Krabi national park

Security has been tightened in national parks in Thailand’s southern border provinces and nearby areas after three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered — two at Noppharat Thara Beach and one at a hardwood sculpture in Krabi town.

All devices have since been safely defused by the EOD team.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to heighten safety measures in protected forest areas nationwide, with special focus on the three southern border provinces and adjacent areas.

This follows the discovery of IEDs in Krabi province on June 24. Notably, two of the devices were found inside Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the department, stated that his agencies are closely monitoring and patrolling high-risk areas, particularly those in the three southernmost provinces and surrounding regions.

Yesterday, one device was found near an abandoned motorcycle in the compound of a mosque, and two others were found in the area of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park.

Meanwhile, in Pattani province, police and military forces raided four locations and took three suspects into custody for alleged links to two men arrested earlier in Phang-nga province. Bomb-making materials and a plan outlining potential bombing targets were seized during the raids.

A security officer said that the insurgents had plotted attacks on tourist attractions in Phuket, Krabi, and Phang-nga provinces.

On Wednesday night in Sai Buri district of Pattani, about ten insurgents raided the Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) office of Paen sub-district, tied up two security guards, and set fire to the office and four vehicles, including a fire truck.

According to an initial police report, the insurgents scaled the TAO compound wall under cover of darkness. They then approached the guards, held them at gunpoint, and tied them up with rope.

The attackers split into two groups: one poured petrol on a fire truck, a garbage truck, and two pickup trucks before setting them ablaze; the other group smashed through the glass partition of the TAO office, poured petrol on the floor, and set it alight.

Police said the TAO office sustained heavy damage, and all four vehicles were completely destroyed.