An armed group stormed a biomass power plant in Pattani Province, threatening security guards before three loud explosions rang out late at night. They then used the darkness to escape into the forest.
At 00:40 on 9 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Adul Ngao, Superintendent of Nong Chik Police Station, Pattani Province, received reports of three explosions inside the biomass power plant located in Village 1, Ban Maprao Ton Diao, Lipa Sago Subdistrict, Nong Chik District, Pattani. He led officers to investigate, accompanied by Col. Natthaphon Sunthornon, Commander of Task Force 43. Initially, no injuries or fatalities were found.
Because the incident occurred late at night, authorities cordoned off the area and prohibited unauthorized persons from approaching the scene. They coordinated with the bomb disposal unit and forensic officers for a detailed examination scheduled for the morning.
Authorities have since closed both lanes of Highway 418 between Pattani and Yala for over 4 kilometers, directing the public to use alternative routes. The power plant remains sealed off while bomb disposal teams plan to clear the site, as it is still unclear whether additional explosives remain inside.
Preliminary inspections revealed damage at the power supply points within the plant and other areas, with many bomb fragments scattered around. Officers collected these as evidence. The explosives were identified as three improvised bombs.
Investigations found that security personnel and staff were on duty inside the plant when at least 10 armed suspects, with their faces covered, emerged from the forest behind the plant. They climbed the fence, threatened the security guards and staff, ordering them out through the front gate, before planting bombs at the power supply points.
Following three successive explosions, residents in the area and nearby districts were alarmed. The security guards withdrew to a safe position outside. Meanwhile, the attackers quickly vanished into the forest under cover of darkness.
Authorities are urgently gathering evidence, including physical items, witness statements, and CCTV footage, to identify and apprehend the suspects. Initial assumptions suggest the attack may have been carried out by insurgent groups or opponents of the power plant operations, as similar plants in the region have been targeted before. Opposition groups have previously expressed concerns over community and environmental impacts.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Santat Chuephuttan, Commander of Pattani Provincial Police, ordered strict cordoning of the crime scene and deployed security forces to block and inspect all access routes. Checkpoints and roadblocks have increased vigilance for suspicious persons and vehicles. Coordination with military forces has also been arranged for targeted area searches.
Security agencies believe the attackers may be linked to the group that assaulted the protection unit base at Ban Kolapile, Pak Harang Subdistrict, Pattani District, on 23 July 2019. The attack is also likely retaliation following clashes and the shooting of two insurgents in Khok Pho District, Pattani, on 4 June.