More than a decade after the deadly Erawan Shrine bombing in central Bangkok, the South Bangkok Criminal Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on June 11, 2026, at 9am. The case against Bilal Mohammed, also known as Adem Karadag, and Yusufu Mieraili has become one of Thailand’s longest-running criminal trials, extending into its 11th year after numerous legal and procedural delays.
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The bombing occurred at about 6.55pm on August 17, 2015, at the Erawan Shrine near the Ratchaprasong intersection, one of Bangkok’s busiest commercial and tourist districts. The explosion killed 20 people, including Thai nationals and foreign visitors, and injured more than 160 others.
Police alleged that Karadag placed a backpack containing the explosive device at the shrine before leaving the scene. Yusufu was accused of assembling the device, procuring equipment and helping deliver it. Both men were later taken by police for a crime-scene re-enactment before authorities formally announced the case in September 2015.
The lengthy court process was heavily influenced by changes in jurisdiction. Because the bombing took place during the National Council for Peace and Order era, the case was initially heard by the Bangkok Military Court under orders covering weapons and explosives offences.
After civilian cases were removed from military-court jurisdiction, proceedings were transferred to the South Bangkok Criminal Court. The move required witness examinations to begin again within the civilian court system, contributing significantly to the delay.
Court proceedings were further disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additional setbacks arose from interpreter issues, as the defendants speak Uyghur and required translation between Uyghur, English and Thai. In 2016, the trial stalled when a military court rejected one proposed interpreter and another was unable to communicate effectively with the defendants.
Pictures courtesy of The Nation
The scale of the case also added to its duration. Prosecutors called more than 400 witnesses, while the defence presented more than 45 witnesses. The proceedings also involved extensive documentary and physical evidence running to tens of thousands of pages.
From 2023 to 2026, the South Bangkok Criminal Court accelerated witness examinations, allowing the case to progress to the verdict stage. The upcoming ruling is expected to bring a major chapter in the long-running case to a close.
The Nation reported that authorities also issued arrest warrants for several other alleged members of the network. One Thai woman, Wanna Suansan, accused of renting accommodation for suspects, was acquitted by the South Bangkok Criminal Court in November 2024 after the court found the evidence insufficient. She was one of three people apprehended out of 17 suspects named by authorities.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 11 June 2026