SONGKHLA — Authorities say explosive materials found hidden in a bush were believed to be intended for a bomb that would target the governor of Songkhla at a major public event next week.
Bomb disposal specialists were called to deal with a 40-litre plastic container hidden near a swamp at Ban Kor Sam village in Thepha district around 10pm on Thursday.
Inside the container they found an 18.5-kilogramme cooking gas cylinder, two sets of detonators, a plug and 30kg of explosive powder.
Security authorities believed insurgents might have been preparing to carry out an attack on May 8 or 9 when the traditional longtailed boat races are held in the southern province.
Songkhla governor Thamrong Charoenkul is scheduled to preside over the opening ceremony of the competition and he might have been the target, said authorities.