Phuket: The Prime Minister summoned the National Police Chief and the Tourism Secretary to discuss the disturbances in the Andaman tourist area, stressing increased strictness in taking care of the safety of the public and tourists. Meanwhile, in Phuket, officers have recovered 2 more bombs, bringing the total number of bombs recovered to 7, including 3 provinces: Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, with 14 bombs recovered safely.
According to Thai News Agency, throughout today, the Bomb Disposal Unit (EOD) is still searching for the remaining explosive devices in the Phuket area, based on the testimonies of the two perpetrators. Officials were able to successfully dispose of devices at a total of 5 locations, with the remaining 2 located at Surin Beach and Patong Beach, where the perpetrators stated they had hidden two explosive devices each. With the intensive work of officials from all sides, today all the remaining explosive devices, as indicated by the perpetrators, have been discovered and disposed of.
The first explosive device recovered and destroyed today was at Surin Beach. Officials used metal scanners to search the area where construction was underway to improve the Surin Beach area. The perpetrators had concealed the device by burying it in the sand under a tree. The EOD team successfully recovered and destroyed it in the morning. The second device on Surin Beach was recovered and destroyed by the EOD team at 5:00 PM after an extensive search throughout the day.
Interrogation of the two suspects revealed they had hidden two explosive devices on Patong Beach. Officials searched the area tirelessly, and at around 4:00 PM, the EOD team found and destroyed the explosive device. This marks the recovery and destruction of explosive devices at 7 locations in Phuket, including Sarasin Bridge, a popular tourist viewpoint. Importantly, no injuries were reported at any location where devices were found and destroyed.
Phuket Province issued a statement confirming the safety of the area and announced increased security measures following the discovery of suspicious objects in three areas: the parking area of Phuket International Airport, Patong Beach, and Promthep Cape from the evening of June 25 to the morning of June 26.
The Phuket Governor has implemented three main security measures: increasing inspections at all border crossings, strengthening patrols in tourist areas, and collaborating with private sectors and civil society for basic security training. These measures aim to ensure Phuket's readiness to welcome tourists worldwide. Residents are encouraged to report any unusual activities to hotlines available 24 hours a day.
In a related incident, officials recovered another suspicious object at Ao Nang Beach, at the Sailfish Sculpture Square in Mueang Krabi District. The Krabi Provincial Police Investigation Unit, along with EOD officers, found a suspicious object resembling a fake rock at the breakwater next to the Sailfish Sculpture. Initial speculation suggested it was an improvised explosive device. Authorities blocked off the area to prevent access as it is a popular photo spot.
EOD officers found the bomb set to detonate for 120 days. The scanning of the area was based on the testimony of two suspects arrested in Phang Nga Province for smuggling explosive devices. They claimed to have placed suspicious objects in five locations in Krabi Province. It was reported that another suspicious object, resembling a PVC pipe, was found under a banyan tree, opposite the residence of officers of the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Inspection of this object did not reveal any explosives, indicating it was intended to deceive officers.