A brazen attack occurred when a suspect detonated a car bomb outside the old Tan Yong Police Station in Narathiwat. The suspect pushed a car loaded with explosives into the station, igniting intense flames that completely destroyed the vehicle. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities.
At 19:20 on 21 Jul 2016, Pol. Col. Jarukit Sridech, Chief of Tan Yong Police Station in Mueang District, Narathiwat, received reports of a car bomb attack at the old Tan Yong Police Station, located at the entrance to Phra Tamnak Thaksin Ratchaniwet, Village No. 4, Kaluao Nuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Narathiwat. He quickly mobilized police and military forces to investigate the scene.
Authorities found a Toyota Soluna sedan ablaze, with its front hood facing the building. They promptly coordinated with the Kaluao Nuea Subdistrict Administrative Organization's disaster relief unit to bring fire trucks to extinguish the fire, successfully bringing it under control.
However, the explosion severely damaged the fence wall along the road, scattering debris from the explosive device and car parts across the street. Officials collected these fragments as evidence.
Later, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Region 9 Police, Pol. Maj. Gen. Prayong Kotsakha, Commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, and the EOD team from Narathiwat Provincial Police arrived to conduct a preliminary investigation. They found one pickup truck damaged by fire and several parts of the building damaged by shrapnel. Authorities secured the area for a detailed inspection scheduled for the next morning.
Investigations revealed that one suspect drove a Toyota Soluna sedan, carrying an unspecified amount of explosives inside the cabin. Upon reaching the target, the suspect parked and pushed the car into the police station, then fled by riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice waiting nearby. The bomb then detonated, causing property damage but no injuries.
Officials believe the attack was carried out by members of a militant group aiming to create unrest and chaos in the area.