A Malaysian couple in Bangkok were questioned by local authorities after seven fuel cans were found inside their parked car.
The incident took place on 14 October, when Bangkok officials inspecting the Sukhumvit Soi 17 area spotted the Malaysian-registered vehicle parked near a zone under heightened security, according to The Thaiger.
EOD team inspects car after 40 litres of petrol found near summit zone
Thailand is hosting the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Annual Meetings 2026 from October 12 to 18, prompting heightened security measures across Bangkok, according to the IMF.
A Thai security spokesperson said authorities became concerned about potential safety risks because the vehicle was parked in a high-security zone near the international summit. Security agencies were then asked to inspect the car, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was deployed, according to Berita Harian.
When officers opened the boot, they found seven fuel containers holding approximately 40 litres of petrol in total. Authorities subsequently conducted background checks on the vehicle and the couple to establish their movements and intentions.
Couple says fuel cans were for road trip across Thailand
Berita Harian said that investigators later located the couple and confirmed that they had entered Thailand on 11 October for a holiday and honeymoon. They were scheduled to return to Malaysia on 17 October.
It was reported that the couple had been travelling across several Thai provinces in their own car and were staying at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area.
When questioned, the Malaysian driver explained that he had brought the fuel cans from Malaysia as an emergency reserve.
“The couple informed officers that they were travelling to several provinces in Thailand in their own vehicle as part of their honeymoon.
“They were staying at a hotel in the Sukhumvit area and said they had parked near Sukhumvit Soi 17 to visit a shopping mall,” the spokesperson said, as reported by Berita Harian.
Following inspections, police found no links to violent groups or equipment that could be used to assemble an explosive device. The couple were subsequently cleared and released, but fined 2,000 baht (approximately RM243.40) for parking in a restricted no-parking zone.
Security monitoring around the summit area remains ongoing.
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