South —
On the morning of November 20th, 2024, four explosions struck a worker camp constructing a Guan Yin statue in Thepha District, Songkhla, injuring three people, including a 9-year-old girl.
All the injured were reportedly transported to nearby hospitals and are in stable condition. Over 30 workers and 150 boy and girl scouts from a nearby resort, located about a kilometer from the site, were evacuated to safety.
The first two explosions occurred at 6:10 AM at the camp, causing widespread damage. Two additional blasts were reported at 10:40 AM near the entrance to Sakom Beach, just 100 meters apart. While no injuries were reported in the latter incidents, authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.
Security officials from three agencies have established a command center to address the situation. Bomb squads (EOD), forensic units, and investigators are coordinating efforts to secure the area and determine the type of explosives used.
Early indications suggest the bombs may have been planted devices, but officials have not ruled out any motives, including security threats or internal conflicts.
Meanwhile, nearly ten security cameras and power poles were set on fire across several districts in Yala Province early this morning. Authorities are collecting DNA evidence to identify the culprits.
These incidents coincide with explosions reported in Songkhla, Yala, and Pattani, prompting an urgent security alert. In response, heightened safety measures are now in place in four border districts of Songkhla—Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi, and Saba Yoi—as well as other high-risk areas.
Security forces have increased patrols, checkpoints, and inspections of worker camps and rental properties to prevent further unrest ahead of the New Year celebrations.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
