Car bomb blast rocks Tak Bai: Two soldiers injured in fiery attack

A car bomb exploded near the home of the Tak Bai district chief in Narathiwat late last night, leaving two soldiers injured and setting nearby houses ablaze. The explosion rocked Moo 3 village in Tambon Jeh Hay at 9.51pm, while district chief Jirat Siriwanlop was reportedly in Mueang district at the time.

The blast severely injured Private Kantayot Binrim and Private Anuwat Hemara, both 22, who were off duty and out buying food when disaster struck. They suffered shrapnel wounds and severe burns and were initially rushed to Tak Bai Hospital before being transferred to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital for further treatment. The explosion also caused flames to engulf several nearby homes.

Witnesses described a chilling scene, reporting that around five masked men parked a new silver MG car and fled the area on motorcycles just before the blast.

Earlier that evening, the vehicle had been stolen from its owner, the wife of a paramilitary ranger, approximately 5 kilometres from where the explosion occurred.

Tak Bai has been in the spotlight lately, with the statute of limitations on the Tak Bai massacre case set to expire on October 25, Bangkok Post reported.

As emergency crews worked to extinguish the flames, the remnants of the bomb car were still smouldering, with burning shrapnel littering the area around the explosion.

In related news, eight soldiers sustained injuries in a roadside explosion in Rangae district, Narathiwat, believed to be orchestrated by insurgents. The incident took place when an improvised bomb, tied to a power pole along a local road in Ban Hulu Pare, tambon Tanyongmat, was detonated as a military pickup truck carrying the soldiers drove past.

The blast’s impact toppled the power pole and shattered the vehicle’s windshield and windows. The injured soldiers were promptly transported to Rangae Hospital for treatment.

Security officials reported that the soldiers, from the 4805 Ranger Task Force, were gathering wood for a makeshift camp when the attack occurred. Soldiers suspect local insurgents were behind the attack, said a security official.