Reporters visiting the store in Muang district on Tuesday were informed of the postponement. They contacted an executive from the store who declined to reveal the reason for the delay.

However a security official said it is likely due to the security system not being ready. The explosion damaged the store’s main buildings, the parking lot and the vehicles of customers. The damage bill was estimated at about Bt30 million

Lt-General Piyawat Chalermsri, Pattani’s police chief, revealed arrest warrants had been issued for eight of the 11 suspects police had identified in relation to the attack.

He declined to reveal the names of the suspects, but said all them had had arrest warrants issued against them in previous cases.