Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Commander of the Phuket Provincial Police, confirmed that the men were apprehended in Phang Nga Province early yesterday (June 24).
The suspects were traveling in a black Honda City with Surin license plates when they were stopped at a police checkpoint near the Phang Nga Provincial Hall around 3:30am.
The two men were identified as Muhamma Wading, 29, from Yaring District, Pattani, who was driving the vehicle, and Sulaiman Gasa, 27, from Yarang District, also in Pattani, who was the front-seat passenger.
During the vehicle search, officers discovered a suspicious device ‒ a stopwatch connected by electrical wires to a circuit board ‒ hidden among the suspects’ clothes and bedding. The device was secured for inspection and was later confirmed to include explosive materials.
Further questioning revealed that the suspects had been hired to deliver the vehicle, containing the explosive devices, from Ban Sakom in Songkhla Province to Phuket.
The journey began on Monday evening (June 23) and followed a route through Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, Krabi and Phang Nga before the vehicle was intercepted. GPS instructions had been provided by the individuals who hired them.
In response to the incident, Pol Maj Gen Sinlert held a meeting with all police station chiefs across Phuket, ordering heightened security in accordance with directives from Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomchit, Commander of Region 8 Police.
Phuket, as a major international tourist destination, is considered a sensitive area with potential exposure to global security threats, Maj Gen Sinlert told the press yesterday.
Officers have been instructed to intensify inspections at key locations, including popular tourist attractions, entertainment districts such as Phuket Old Town and Patong, and busy beaches, he added.
Checkpoints, particularly at the Tha Chatchai entry point to Phuket, will continue to focus on vehicle searches and identity verification to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert stressed that the ongoing cooperation between police, administrative and military units is essential to maintaining public confidence and preventing future threats.
He also credited the island’s history of effective surveillance and prevention efforts for keeping Phuket free of serious security incidents in recent years.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub