PATTANI, Thailand – An armed group launched a coordinated night raid on a solar power plant construction site in Pattani province, causing extensive damage estimated at 13 million baht. According to reports from the local police, at least five masked individuals infiltrated the facility from the rear perimeter during the early hours of Monday morning. The attackers used improvised explosive devices and gasoline to target stored solar panels, triggering large fires across the storage area before escaping into the night.
Key Takeaways:
- Coordinated Attack by Masked Gunmen: A group of at least five armed individuals sneaked into a solar power facility under construction in Yaring, Pattani, during the early hours of June 15, 2026.
- Massive Financial and Structural Damage: The attackers detonated an explosive device to cause panic, poured gasoline over stored solar panels, and set them on fire, causing 13 million baht in damage.
- Security Forces Investigate Insurgent Links: Authorities believe the attack was carried out by local insurgent groups or individuals who lost benefits from the development project, linking it to a biomass power plant bombing on June 9.
The violent incident took place at around 3:10 AM in the Yaring district of Pattani. Pol. Col. Lukman Bakoh, the superintendent of the Yaring Police Station, received an urgent distress call from the solar plant employees. Security guards on duty reported that the masked attackers sneaked into the construction zone through a rear boundary.
The criminal group quickly split into smaller teams to execute their destructive plan. One team threw a loud, explosive device to disorient the staff and create chaos. Meanwhile, another team poured gasoline over stacks of brand-new solar panels and set them ablaze. The flames quickly spread through the primary storage area, creating a massive fire that was visible from far away.
Firefighters and Bomb Squads Deploy to the Scene
Emergency services acted quickly to control the dangerous situation. Local police officers, military personnel, and volunteer units rushed to the facility to secure the area. Firefighters deployed multiple trucks to battle the intense flames and stop the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
Security forces immediately cordoned off the entire location to protect the public from further danger. Experts feared that the attackers might have left hidden explosive devices behind as traps. Later that morning, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team entered the charred site to search for any remaining threats.
The specialist team discovered a highly suspicious object left near the burned solar equipment. Technicians identified the item as an unexploded improvised explosive device (IED) and safely neutralized it on site. Technicians also scanned the entire area with specialized equipment to ensure no other hidden bombs remained.
Forensic investigators spent hours collecting physical evidence from the destroyed facility. Technicians focused on retrieving fingerprints from discarded plastic bottles that the criminals used to carry gasoline. They also gathered metal fragments from the explosive devices to analyze the chemical composition of the bombs.
Local authorities confirmed that nobody was hurt or killed during the chaotic attack. Security teams launched surveillance drones to map out the escape routes used by the perpetrators. Police forces also set up emergency checkpoints on main roads to inspect suspicious vehicles and track down the suspects.
Security Forces Connect Attack to Regional Insurgency
National security agencies believe this violent act is connected to local insurgent networks. Intelligence officers noted that a similar attack occurred just a week prior in the neighboring Nong Chik district. In that previous incident on June 9, attackers targeted a local biomass power plant with three explosive devices.
Detectives are also exploring an alternative motive involving local business conflicts. Investigators state that groups that lost financial benefits from the construction project might have organized the raid. The police department is keeping all lines of inquiry open while they process the forensic data.
Local leaders have called for increased security around critical infrastructure across the southern provinces. Government officials are working closely with energy companies to protect utility sites from future disruptions. The investigation remains active as authorities search for the individuals responsible for this multi-million baht act of sabotage.
For updates on this evolving story, readers can monitor official announcements from the regional police and the Thairath Newspaper Online, which initially documented the criminal investigation.
Trending Thailand News:
Thailand Launches 1% Solar Loans to Combat Rising Energy Costs
Thailand’s Race to Become ASEAN’s Next Digital Powerhouse
