Discovery of a Destroyed Car Sparks Investigation into Possible Car Bomb Use
A car that had no known owner was discovered completely destroyed by fire in the Rueso district of a southern Thai province on Saturday night. Authorities are currently investigating whether the vehicle was used as a car bomb, raising concerns about potential security threats in the region.
The Rueso Police Station received a report at 9 p.m. regarding a fire consuming a sedan car. The vehicle was found parked approximately 300 meters away from the Balo bridge in Ban Bue Jo village 5, located within the tambon Sawo area. According to Pol Col Komsan Theekhakan, a deputy superintendent for investigation at the station, the incident prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and other officials.
Police, military personnel, and representatives from the provincial administrative department arrived at the scene to assess the damage. They found that the fire was beginning to die down, leaving only the charred remains of the car behind. No local residents near the location were able to identify the vehicle’s owner, according to authorities.
Following a thorough inspection, the vehicle was identified as a grey Nissan Sylphy 1.8 model, with a nearly destroyed Bangkok license plate numbered 1?? 397. This discovery has raised further concerns, as the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center (SBPPOC) had previously issued a warning about two sedans suspected of being used in car bomb attacks. One of these vehicles was a Nissan Sylphy, while the other was a grey Toyota Vios. Both models were reportedly acquired by insurgents.
The alert also highlighted six high-risk districts in the southern region, including Raman in Yala province and Muang, Rueso, Tak Bai, Su-ngai Padi, and Su-ngai Kolok in Narathiwat. Officials were advised to be vigilant and carefully check vehicle identification numbers, as these could have been altered or swapped by those involved in illicit activities.
To further investigate the incident, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and forensic teams were deployed to examine the fire scene and trace the possible route taken by the burnt vehicle. Pol Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 9, emphasized the importance of this step in determining the cause of the fire and identifying any potential threats.
Military sources have also raised concerns that the blaze might have been a deliberate act to mislead authorities. There is speculation that insurgents may have set the fire to create a distraction, allowing them to carry out a real attack elsewhere. Despite the similarities between the destroyed car and the one mentioned in the SBPPOC warning, officials have stated that a detailed investigation is still ongoing to confirm if the vehicle was indeed the same one flagged in the alert.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and security agencies in the southern regions of Thailand. As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and preventing potential acts of violence. Authorities are urging vigilance and cooperation from the local community to help identify any suspicious activity that could pose a threat to the region.
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