Report Southern Insurgents Target Phuket: New Bomb Threats Uncovered

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a concerning escalation, a strategic expansion of insurgent activity has emerged in Thailand’s popular tourist areas of Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi. Southern security experts warn that these recent bomb discoveries, allegedly orchestrated by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), aim to undermine tourist confidence and disrupt the economy.

 

Security analysts describe the operations as a novel approach by the BRN, utilizing “white faces”—new recruits lacking criminal records, making detection by authorities particularly challenging. A security source noted, “These operatives work effectively outside the traditional conflict zones due to their anonymity.”

 

The attacks mark the first organised effort beyond the southern conflict area in nearly a decade, echoing the 2015 incidents across seven provinces. This shift signals a strategic attempt to project power and target economically vital regions.

 

The younger, radical faction of BRN is believed to be behind these operations, distinguishing them from the older leadership, which, though wanted, has shown willingness for dialogue. Unconfirmed reports suggest involvement from the Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO), adding complexity to the situation with ongoing internal tensions within BRN.

 

Security enhancements in the south have prompted insurgents to redirect efforts to high-profile regions. Recent arrests in Phangnga revealed plans to attack key tourist destinations, following the capture of two men from Pattani with bomb-making materials. Their interrogation unveiled broader schemes affecting Phuket and surrounding areas.

 

Lt Gen Paisan Nusang, overseeing the 4th Army Region, confirmed that additional arrests in Pattani linked to these plots underscore a coordinated attempt to strike vital economic territories. Fortunately, the discovered bombs were non-lethal, designed to instill fear rather than cause casualties, containing explosive powder but lacking shrapnel.

 

“The clear intention is disrupting the Andaman region's economy, heavily reliant on tourism,” Lt Gen Paisan stated. These provinces are essential, generating substantial income for Thailand.

 

Intelligence, including insights from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4, confirms this insurgency action aimed at increasing leverage and pressuring governmental response to the Southern conflict. Despite this, official commentary remains minimal, restricted to the 4th Army Commander.

 

The defused bombs, over ten in total, were found planted with staggered detonation timers, intending to create an illusion of ongoing threats. However, intensified surveillance and meticulous investigation, including CCTV analysis and targeted searches, thwarted the plot before any major impact, providing a temporary reprieve for these tourism-dependent regions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-03

 

 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a concerning escalation, a strategic expansion of insurgent activity has emerged in Thailand’s popular tourist areas of Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi. Southern security experts warn that these recent bomb discoveries, allegedly orchestrated by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), aim to undermine tourist confidence and disrupt the economy

And the Russians thought they'd escaped all bombing

[wensiensheng]

No mention of exactly where the bombs were planted?

[sikishrory]

5 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

No mention of exactly where the bombs were planted?

Yes confusing at best. 

Seems they have recycled old news and just run it again with a title of "new". 

No mention of new bombs. 

[wensiensheng]

1 minute ago, sikishrory said:

Yes confusing at best. 

Seems they have recycled old news and just run it again with a title of "new". 

No mention of new bombs. 

Oh. Ok. I thought it was a new batch. I’m safe then 😁

[factual monk]

One blast by the peacefuls ☪️ and the tourism in Thailand will go for a toss... 

I pray it never happens... 🙏 

[Zakhar]

Insurgents? Can't say it loud as Muslim Separatists?

[impulse]

32 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

Yes confusing at best. 

Seems they have recycled old news and just run it again with a title of "new". 

No mention of new bombs. 

 

I think it's news in that they're further along figuring out where the devices came from, and why.

 

[MalcolmB]

50 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

No mention of exactly where the bombs were planted?

 

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The defused bombs, over ten in total

Actually more than 20.

 

 

[wensiensheng]

8 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

 

Actually more than 20.

 

 

I guess this one news story that is being glossed over and being kept very quiet by the authorities.

 

They have a hard enough time trying to reassure potential tourists about kidnappings for scam centers, random drunken violence and scams. Bombs are step up from the usual.

[wensiensheng]

23 minutes ago, Zakhar said:

Insurgents? Can't say it loud as Muslim Separatists?

I think I read a few years  ago, when there were a lot of bombs going off in the South that they had to call them insurgents or terrorists because if it ever got classified as a revolution or separatist movement, then the global. rules of war would apply and it hamstring the authorities on what it could do to combat it.

 

Something like that anyway. Maybe that’s why they always term it as they do

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

And the Russians thought they'd escaped all bombing

 

Half way round the earth away from home, still haunted by bomb blast.

 

Also curse of the Muslim Putin killed in Chechenya war(killed 200000)?

[LudwigK]

Are they ALLIES of Cambodia ?

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, Zakhar said:

Insurgents? Can't say it loud as Muslim Separatists?

Correct, can't call them Muslim Separatists.

An insurgency is a rebellion. 

They are Malay Muslims who seek to REGAIN their former nation's sovereignty the Kingdom of Patani that was forcefully annexed by Buddhist Thailand in violation of a Peace Treaty to become a Thailand Province. Since 2014 the Thai government has allegedly sought peace negotiations but to date - nothing.

They are not separatists seeking to create a new Muslim state.

[Aussie999]

People blaming insurgents/Muslims...here's my take, political turmoil, Cambodian border unrest, PM stood down, numerous suspected explosive devices...non proven to be...and a military itching for another coup... Who really planted these "devices?"

Oh, I forgot, denial of another coup. 555

[Seagull Sam]

Convenient that all 10 bombs were found and defused. Were the not-yet-criminal perpetrators all apprehended? 

Either an exceptionally inept operation on behalf of the insurgents or an attempt on behalf of the military to create the fear of the enemy within. All useful ammunition for the next coup. (Pun intended).

[ChipButty]

Taksin will sort them out, 

[FlorC]

20 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

People blaming insurgents/Muslims...here's my take, political turmoil, Cambodian border unrest, PM stood down, numerous suspected explosive devices...non proven to be...and a military itching for another coup... Who really planted these "devices?"

Oh, I forgot, denial of another coup. 555

And the THB stays way to high.

[Aussie999]

Just now, FlorC said:

And the THB stays way to high.

Irrelevant to this discussion... it's about the suspect explosive devices, let's try and keep it that way.

[HappyExpat57]

Hasn't anyone told the bombers that Thailand wants to fast track tourism to the south and this will hurt business?

[FlorC]

25 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Irrelevant to this discussion... it's about the suspect explosive devices, let's try and keep it that way.

It is relevant . All the things you summed up in your post ,

should have an impact on tourism and local currency (THB).

[daveAustin]

3 hours ago, factual monk said:

One blast by the peacefuls ☪️ and the tourism in Thailand will go for a toss... 

I pray it never happens... 🙏 

It has always bounced back. 

[factual monk]

Just now, daveAustin said:

It has always bounced back. 

Yes but it will take years... hope you remember Bali... took 5 years for bali night life to get back to normal... 

[factual monk]

1 minute ago, daveAustin said:

It has always bounced back. 

And it's not about natural calamity... it's about a terrorism related incident @ Phuket /Krabi ... 

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I guess this one news story that is being glossed over and being kept very quiet by the authorities.

 

They have a hard enough time trying to reassure potential tourists about kidnappings for scam centers, random drunken violence and scams. Bombs are step up from the usual.

 

Yea, wait until Chinese social media gets on this. Make sure you don't tell them.

[StayinThailand2much]

3 hours ago, sikishrory said:

Yes confusing at best. 

Seems they have recycled old news and just run it again with a title of "new". 

No mention of new bombs. 

 

Either way, personally, I wouldn't be worried, but it might make a dent in Chinese arrival numbers... 😆 

[Aussie999]

22 minutes ago, FlorC said:

It is relevant . All the things you summed up in your post ,

should have an impact on tourism and local currency (THB).

Again, my comment has nothing to do with tourists...get that through ya thick head.

[ChipButty]

1 minute ago, Aussie999 said:

Again, my comment has nothing to do with tourists...get that through ya thick head.

No need for comments like that, 

[Aussie999]

1 minute ago, ChipButty said:

No need for comments like that, 

I see you wasted ya time.

I'm an Aussie...I speak as an Aussie speaks.

[Caldera]

Not good at all.