Suspects planted bombs in restrooms at multiple gas stations in Pattani province. Officials inspected and conducted bomb disposal operations throughout the night. In the morning, they found another device. During disposal, an explosion injured one EOD officer, who was promptly taken to hospital. The incident is suspected to be the work of a disruptive group.
At 19:30 on 3 Feb 2026, Police Colonel Jeffrey Sailmanakul, Superintendent of Mueang Pattani Police Station, was notified by staff at the PTT gas station near the Clock Tower roundabout on Nongjik Road, Sabarang Subdistrict, that a suspicious object was found inside the station's restroom. Upon receiving the report, he informed Major General Santhas Chuea Phuttan, Commander of Pattani Provincial Police, and deployed officers along with the bomb disposal unit to inspect the area immediately.
Upon arrival, officers secured the area to prevent unrelated persons from approaching the danger zone. Inside the men's restroom, they found a suspicious device consisting of a digital timer circuit board placed inside a zip-lock bag, hidden inside the toilet bowl. Officers retreated from the area before the EOD team proceeded to examine and destroy the device using a water pressure cannon.
At 20:30, authorities were alerted to another suspicious object at a PTT gas station on Nongjik Road, Ruesamilae Subdistrict, approximately one kilometer from the first site. Officers secured the area for safety. The device, similar to the first, was hidden in the disabled restroom's toilet bowl. The bomb disposal unit, wearing bomb suits, used a water pressure gun to neutralize it immediately.
Inspection revealed both suspicious devices were small timed bombs without shrapnel, contained in zip-lock bags. Fortunately, the first device did not detonate because water infiltrated its circuit board. The second was set to explode at 22:00 on 14 February, Valentine's Night. Authorities believe both bombs were scheduled for the same date and time.
Preliminary investigation found that before the first incident, a gas station employee used the men's restroom but could not flush the toilet. Upon inspection, the employee discovered the suspicious object, promptly alerted others to evacuate, and contacted police immediately. Subsequently, the gas station owner instructed staff at a nearby station to check all restrooms. During this, a suspicious device was found in the disabled restroom at the second station, and police were notified.
Officials are collecting evidence, including CCTV footage, witness accounts, and DNA traces from the devices, to identify links to the perpetrators. Security forces believe the incident is connected to ongoing unrest in the region.
Ms. Siramanee Rama, an employee at the second gas station, said in the evening, the owner called her to check the area. She inspected the surroundings with a flashlight and checked the restrooms but found nothing unusual. Shortly after, the owner called again, asking if the restrooms had toilet bowls. She remembered the disabled restroom had one, went there, and upon opening the lid, discovered a bomb. She ran out, called emergency services, and told other staff to evacuate. She was very frightened, trembling and shouting as she fled.
At 07:30 on 4 Feb 2026, Police Colonel Jeffrey Sailmanakul was informed of a suspicious object in the restroom of the PTT gas station at Talubo, Mueang District. He reported to Major General Santhas Chuea Phuttan and led police and bomb disposal teams to inspect immediately.
At the scene, a bomb-like object was found in the disabled restroom. Officers secured the area to prevent access by unauthorized persons, allowing the EOD team to examine and clear the site. The bomb disposal team, wearing bomb suits, conducted initial inspections, withdrew to assess the situation, and then entered for a second examination.
At 09:00, an explosion occurred inside the disabled restroom, causing a loud blast that startled reporters and officials about 100 meters away, prompting them to seek cover. One EOD officer was injured. Emergency responders quickly extracted him, provided first aid, and rushed him to Pattani Hospital. The injured officer was identified as Police Corporal Phichitphaan Vechachivi, who sustained severe injuries, especially to his right hand.
Investigation revealed that while a gas station cleaner was cleaning the restrooms, she recalled the previous night's bomb discovery. She opened the water tank lid and found another device, then ran out to alert staff, who contacted authorities. During the search, officers opened the adult toilet lid with no findings but, upon lifting the children's toilet lid, the bomb detonated. The explosion threw bomb suit-wearing officers back. Fellow officers assisted and transported the injured to hospital.
After the incident, forensic teams collected evidence including CCTV footage and witness statements to link suspects for prosecution. The first bomb found matched that from the previous night's gas station. The second bomb that detonated was a triggered device, set to explode upon movement of its circuit. Authorities believe the incidents were attempts to destabilize the region, with the same group planting bombs in PTT gas station restrooms. The latest bomb was a deliberate trap aimed at killing officials. Security sources believe the perpetrators are a new generation of insurgents trained in neighboring countries, numbering around 70-80 individuals, as reported in prior intelligence.