Phuket beach scare: Grenade-like object turns out to be lighter
Tension gripped a Phuket beach when locals reported spotting a grenade-like object in the backseat of a taxi, only to discover it was a lighter resembling an explosive device.
Patong Police Station received a call at 1.30pm yesterday, October 18, from a concerned citizen about a suspicious object inside a taxi near Kalim Beach on Phra Barami Road, Patong subdistrict, Kathu district, Phuket. Responding swiftly, Chalermchai Hoernsawat, the Superintendent of Patong Police Station, and his team rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers located a black Toyota Fortuner taxi with green plates, registration number ณข 3604 Phuket, parked by the beach. Observing through the vehicle’s window, they identified an object that appeared to be a grenade on the left side of the backseat. Chalermchai used a flashlight to get a closer look and, once confident it wasn’t an explosive, decided to inspect it manually. To everyone’s relief, the object turned out to be a lighter designed to look like a grenade, easing the tension among those present.
“I used a flashlight to ensure it wasn’t an actual grenade before deciding to handle it. It was a great relief to find it was just a lighter.”
The incident sparked concern among locals and tourists in the vicinity, but the quick response and thorough inspection by the police alleviated fears. The discovery highlighted the importance of vigilance and the potential for misunderstandings with objects resembling dangerous items.
Following the incident, Chalermchai issued a warning to the taxi driver, advising against leaving items that could be mistaken for explosives in the vehicle. The driver was reminded of the potential alarm such objects could cause, leading to unnecessary police involvement, reported KhaoSod.
In related news, police arrested a Polish woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on September 26 after sparking chaos mid-flight by making a bomb threat aboard a Thai Vietjet flight from Vietnam.
