NARATHIWAT — 24 August 2026, Security officials have detained one suspect in connection with a series of attacks at 40 locations across Narathiwat province, while bomb disposal teams are inspecting a railway track damaged by an explosive before repairs can begin and services resume as soon as possible.
Personnel from the Southern Border Provinces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, the Narathiwat Provincial Police EOD unit, the Narathiwat Provincial Forensic Science Division and military sniffer-dog teams went to inspect a railway line where an explosive device had been planted.
The site is at kilometre marker 1090, between Maruebo Railway Station and Tanyong Mat Railway Station in Village 1, Maruebo Tok subdistrict, Ra-ngae district, Narathiwat.
It was one of 40 locations targeted in a coordinated series of attacks on the night of 22 August, prompting the State Railway of Thailand to suspend all train services from 23 August.
Before reaching the scene, officials had to walk about 1 kilometre along the railway line from Maruebo station while exercising caution.
They found three improvised explosive devices, each packed inside a 25-kilogramme gas cylinder and fitted with timers.
One device had been placed directly on the railway track, damaging two concrete sleepers and tearing apart the rail, making it impossible for trains to pass.
Two other devices had been placed on electricity poles beside a road running alongside the railway, about 50 metres from the main blast site. The poles were damaged but did not collapse.
Officials collected forensic evidence from the scene and estimated that at least six people may have been involved in the attack at this location.
Southern train services adjusted
The State Railway of Thailand has adjusted its southern train services following the attack on the track between Maruebo and Tanyong Mat stations at kilometre marker 1090.
The temporary arrangements will remain in place until officials repair the damaged track, which is expected to take one to two days.
Train No. 452 from Sungai Kolok to Nakhon Si Thammarat will terminate at Tanyong Mat before returning as special passenger train No. 2541 from Tanyong Mat to Sungai Kolok.
Train No. 37 from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Sungai Kolok, which departed Bangkok on 22 August, will terminate at Maruebo before returning as special passenger train No. 2542 from Maruebo to Yala and continuing as Train No. 38 from Yala to Krung Thep Aphiwat.
Train No. 985 from Bangkok to Sungai Kolok, which departed on 22 August, will terminate at Lalo before returning as special freight service No. 2545 from Lalo to Yala and continuing as Train No. 986 from Yala to Bangkok.
Train No. 447 from Surat Thani to Sungai Kolok will terminate at Yala and operate as Train No. 448 from Yala to Surat Thani on 24 August.
Train No. 463 from Phatthalung to Sungai Kolok will terminate at Yala before returning as Train No. 464 from Yala to Phatthalung.
Train No. 451 from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Sungai Kolok will terminate at Yala before returning as Train No. 452 from Yala to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
All services between Tanyong Mat and Sungai Kolok stations remain suspended.
Passengers forced to return tickets
At Tanyong Mat Railway Station in Ra-ngae district, residents were seen gradually arriving to return tickets or change their travel times.
Some passengers who were unaware that train services had been suspended arrived at the station carrying their luggage, only to be forced to return home disappointed.
Similar scenes were reported at the other seven stations between Tanyong Mat and Sungai Kolok, where passengers continued returning tickets and changing their travel arrangements.
Officials inspect 40 attack sites
EOD and forensic officers are also continuing to inspect the sites targeted in bombings and arson attacks across all 13 districts of Narathiwat on the night of 22 August.
Officials completed inspections at 19 sites in five districts — Bacho, Rueso, Si Sakhon, Mueang Narathiwat and parts of Ra-ngae — on 23 August.
Inspections of the remaining 21 sites in eight districts are continuing on 24 August.
Authorities have cordoned off the affected areas and surrounding routes to protect members of the public from unexploded devices or other hazards.
One suspect detained in Cho-airong
Meanwhile, investigators have made progress in the case involving the coordinated attacks at 40 locations across Narathiwat.
After reviewing CCTV footage and collecting evidence from the scenes, authorities detained one male suspect allegedly involved in an attack in Cho-airong district.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspect smashing a security camera mounted on an electricity pole along a road in Ban Ku Rong, Village 3, Chuap subdistrict.
The location was one of three sites where members of the group reportedly divided into teams and carried out attacks at around the same time.
The suspect was taken to an interrogation centre in Narathiwat for further questioning and investigation.
He has denied involvement despite CCTV footage apparently showing him clearly smashing the camera.
