PHUKET — A suspect in custody has confessed to orchestrating a series of bomb plots across Phuket, including an attempted motorcycle bombing at Phuket International Airport, according to police interrogation records released on June 25.
The suspect, identified only as Mr. Muhamah, was transferred from Mueang Phang Nga Police Station to the Southern Border Provinces Police Operation Center in Yala Province for further questioning.
During interrogation, Mr. Muhamah gave a detailed account of the operation, which began on June 21. He admitted that a white Honda Wave motorcycle with license plate 3422 was converted into a motorcycle bomb, specifically targeting the airport.
He claimed the operation involved four people: himself and accomplices known as “Pajoo,” “Paosoo,” and Mr. Sulaiman. The group set out from Pattani Province on the evening of June 21.
Mr. Muhamah recounted being picked up by “Pajoo” in Yarung, Pattani, in a bronze Toyota pickup truck. They traveled to Hat Sakom, where additional vehicles—a sedan and three motorcycles—were prepared.
The convoy included two white Honda Wave motorcycles, one blue Honda Wave, and a sedan carrying bombs and fuel in its trunk. The group traveled in formation, periodically swapping riders and changing jackets to avoid detection.
After staying overnight in Krabi, the suspects continued their journey around 8 a.m. the next day. Before entering Phuket, they disguised the motorcycles with food delivery bags.
They made strategic stops at two mosques: Ban Tha Chatchai Mosque for a 30-minute break, and Nurul Jannatul Bang Rong Mosque for prayers. It was at the second mosque that “Pajoo” placed an explosive device under the motorcycle seat, turning it into a bomb intended for the airport.
According to the confession, the group planted bombs at multiple locations:
- A motorcycle bomb at Phuket International Airport
- An explosive device at Promthep Cape
- Two bombs in the Patong area
Following the suspect’s statement, authorities immediately searched Phuket International Airport. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams located the motorcycle and safely defused the bomb.
Another suspect, Mr. Sulaiman, corroborated significant parts of the timeline, including the group’s overnight stay in Krabi and the early morning departure for Phuket.
Investigators are continuing to probe the network behind the attempted attacks and to identify additional suspects or possible targets.
