A SUSPECT has been arrested in the wave of 40 bombing and arson incidents in Narathiwat on Saturday night (Aug. 22) on charges of damaging a surveillance camera while authorities are rushing to inspect and repair a bombed railway line, Amarin TV said today.
A joint force of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers, Narathiwat provincial police, forensic officers and a K9 unit inspected the bombed railway track at kilometre 1090, between Ma Ru Bo and Tan Yong Mat stations, with this being one of 40 incidents that occurred on Saturday night. All train services had been suspended for one to two days until repairs are completed.
The team had to cautiously walk approximately one kilometre along the railway line from Ma Ru Bo station. They discovered that the insurgents had planted three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) made from 25kg picnic gas cylinders, each with a timer.
One IED was placed on the railway track, damaging two sections of concrete sleepers and tearing apart the rails, making it impassable for all trains. Two other IEDs were placed on utility poles approximately 50 metres from the first IED site, along the road parallel to the railway line. The poles remained intact. Officials collected evidence at the scene and estimated that at least six perpetrators were involved.
The State Railway of Thailand has adjusted its southern train service schedule; all trains from Tan Yong Mat to Suai-ngai Kolok station have been suspended.
Travellers flocked to Tan Yong Mat station and seven others on the route of Suai-ngai Kolok, with some to return their tickets and change their travel schedule while others turned up with their luggage being unaware of the service suspension and were disappointed.
EOD and forensic investigators have been inspecting all 40 locations across 13 districts hit by bombing and arson attacks on Saturday night. Only checks at five districts – Bacho, Rueso, Si Sakhon, Mueang Narathiwat, and parts of Ra-ngae – totaling 19 spots were completed yesterday. Work is continuing today at the remaining 21 locations in eight districts. The areas around the incident sites and surrounding routes have been cordoned off for public safety.
Authorities have gone through CCTV footage and gathered evidence at the scene. The male suspect was seen in one of the clips destroying a surveillance camera installed at a utility pole on a road in Chuap subdistrict, Cho-airrong district, with this being one of the three locations where the insurgents had coordinated their attacks at roughly the same time.
He has been taken to an interrogation centre at this far south province for questioning, but he denies the charges, despite the CCTV clip clearly showing his actions.
CAPTION:
Scenes from the wave of bombing and arson incidents in Narathiwat. Photos – Amarin TV
Also read:
Govt exam fraud dated back to time of Anutin’s father at Interior Ministry
Amnesty bill published in Royal Gazette
CAAT focusing on regional airports amid greater demand
House panel presses agencies to provide information on ‘fake fathers and mothers’ scandal
No major parties prepared for election in near future
People’s disapproves of new bid to file politically-motivated lese majeste lawsuit
Election commissioners tipped to take risk of jail over senatorial rigging conspiracy
Gulf visitor arrivals save Thai tourism from low season disaster
Deputy Interior Minister leads team in busting nominee networks in Pattaya
Two more flood fatalities in Nan and Mae Hong Son provinces
Mae Sot hit by second round of flash floods in 48 hours
