Picture courtesy of Daily News

 

A suspected terrorist bomb plot in Nakhon Nayok has been revealed to be a case of mishandled explosives belonging to a local welding teacher. Authorities initially feared a potential attack after TNT sticks were discovered near a government training office on 30 September. The discovery prompted immediate intervention from the provincial governor and police.

 

Police found two one-pound TNT blocks with detonators and accessories in a bag by the fence of the Nakhon Nayok Provincial Skill Development Office. The devices were in working condition and could have been assembled into an explosive device. The discovery raised fears of terrorism, prompting Governor Chanon Wasiksiri to inspect the site personally. Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Prasert Wijittatsana, who assumed his post on 1 October, ordered urgent investigations.

 

On 3 October, investigators announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the case. They were identified as Mr Paitoon, a welding instructor at the Skill Development Office and Mr Sutharak, a security guard at the same institution. Mr Paitoon admitted ownership of the explosives, explaining he had kept them for more than ten years after receiving them from a friend while living in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province.

 

According to police, the explosives came to light when Mr Sutharak noticed them on Mr Paitoon’s desk and warned him of the danger. Mr Paitoon then asked the guard to dispose of the items outside. When the bag was later reported as a suspicious object, authorities intervened to secure the area and recover the TNT.

 

Police noted inconsistencies in the suspects’ accounts, as Mr Sutharak initially told local officials he found the bag outside the premises without knowing its contents. Both men now face charges of possessing explosives without authorisation. Investigators continue to question them as police remain cautious about their explanations.

 

The incident has eased fears of a terrorist attack but raised concerns about the long-term storage and casual disposal of high-grade explosives. Authorities emphasised that such material must be strictly controlled and are pursuing a full inquiry into how it remained unnoticed for over a decade.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• TNT sticks found in Nakhon Nayok were traced to a local welding teacher, not terrorism.

• The explosives were kept for more than ten years before being disposed of by a guard.

• Both suspects face charges of unauthorised possession as police probe further.

 

Related Story

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-10-05

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities emphasised that such material must be strictly controlled and are pursuing a full inquiry into how it remained unnoticed for over a decade.

Are they curious this thinking it had been left outside for a decade? It does not quite make sense to me. If the teacher had it stored for a decade the no one would notice it or know about his possession of it. 

He must have had it stored properly for such a long time. As i recall, TNT sweats if not stored properly and the drops are highly explosive in itself without needed a device to cause it to explode.