Phuket Provincial Police Chief Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen has confirmed that suspicious items were found in two locations in Patong, but were later found not to be explosive devices.
However, Gen Teeraphol said, “The perpetrators will be found soon and face charges of attempted arson.”
Residents reported to Patong Police before 7pm that two suspicious packages were on the roads: one on Soi Sai Namyen, the other on Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Rd in front of a well-known hotel.
Patong Police arrived at the two areas with EOD officers to investigate the suspicious packages.
After confirming the packages did not contain explosives, the officers swept the area and confirmed no other no similar packages were found.
“CCTVs in both areas showed two suspects taking suspicious packages to the areas at 5pm. Officers are investigating in to this and will bring the two suspects in for questioning,” said Patong Police Chief Col Chaiwat Uikum.
Maj Gen Teeraphol added, “EOD officers said the packages were similar to power banks which were connected together with wires and were meant to start fires, but the connections were incomplete.
“They will check inside these packages to see what kind of materials the suspects used to make these devices.
“We believe the the suspects’ intention was to cause a fire. We are looking for the two suspects now and will also investigate whether this is a personal issue or if they just wanted to create a situation to draw attention,” he said.