Police are awaiting forensic results after an explosion-like sound occurred at a warehouse in Su-ngai Kolok, where two trailer trucks were destroyed by fire. It is still unclear whether the cause was a deliberate bombing or an electrical short circuit.
At 10:30 a.m. on 21 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Than Sirikhan, superintendent of Su-ngai Kolok Police Station, Narathiwat province, along with Supiyan Damoeleng, district chief of Su-ngai Kolok, Pol. Lt. Col. Romita Juichum, a forensic scientist from the Narathiwat Crime Lab, explosive ordnance disposal team from the Narathiwat Provincial Police, and other relevant officials jointly inspected the scene after an explosion-like sound was heard at the Thato Tawe warehouse. This warehouse is located opposite the PTT gas station that was targeted in a bombing attack on 11 Jan 2026 GMT+7, one of five such incidents previously reported, situated in Village 3, Pa Samat subdistrict.
Upon thorough inspection, officials found no evidence linking the incident to an improvised explosive device. However, examination of the fuel tank area, identified as the origin of the sound, revealed that the metal fuel tank had exploded from within, indicating the blast did not come from an external bomb hidden or planted by attackers in that area.
Nevertheless, forensic officials collected black oil residue as evidence to test for gunpowder contamination. If none is found, the cause is likely an electrical short circuit from the battery system, which remains on to power the GPS in all trailer trucks. Additionally, drivers often modify wiring or circuits for decorative lighting, which can cause electrical shorts generating heat near the fuel tank, leading to an internal explosion from pressure buildup, producing the loud blast.
Pol. Col. Than, superintendent of Su-ngai Kolok Police Station, stated that the explosion-like sound occurred around 2 a.m. near the warehouse in Pa Samat subdistrict. Preliminary checks by the EOD team and forensic officials found no bomb fragments. However, they are awaiting further test results to determine whether this was a malicious bombing or another cause.