Bombs recovered in Thailand made in Malaysia?

41 home-made bombs were seized from a pickup truck in Narathiwat yesterday.

A police officer claims the PVC used to make bombs was not available in Thailand and could have originated from Malaysia. (Bernama pic)

BANGKOK: A police officer in southern Thailand has claimed improvised explosive devices seized there were made in Malaysia.

Security forces in the restive province have been instructed to intensify investigations over the seizure of 41 home-made bombs from a pickup truck in Narathiwat yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan wants the authorities to identify the culprits behind the bombs.

“The authorities need to find out who was responsible for bringing the bombs.

“They need to investigate more,” he told reporters today, adding that officers were also instructed to hunt and arrest a suspect who evaded arrest by fleeing into some jungle.

His statement came as Thai security forces in the southern provinces stepped up surveillance following the seizure of the bombs.

Narathiwat police chief Maj Gen Manas Sikamat was quoted as telling the local media today that the bombs were made in neighbouring Malaysia and were intended to harm security officers.

He, however, did not provide any evidence to back his claim about the origin of the bombs.

An unidentified Thai officer quoted by the local media claimed the PVC pipes used for the bombs were not available in Thailand.

At 11.45am yesterday, officers manning a checkpoint in Kampung Saring in the Takbai district in Narathiwat stopped a pickup truck and arrested a 39-year-old man at the wheel.

The truck, from Sungai Golok near the Thai-Malaysian border, was heading to the Ranget district in Narathiwat.

Upon inspection, the officers found the 41 bombs hidden under a thick blanket at the back of the vehicle, along with other equipment, including timer and communication devices for detonating the explosives.

According to the Explosive, Ordnance and Disposal officers at the scene, the bombs were ready to be used at any time.

Non-governmental organisation Deep South Watch said the southern Thailand conflict between the government forces and armed groups since 2004 had claimed about 7,000 lives. -FMT