Bomb disposal teams neutralised explosives left in an abandoned van near the Myanmar border in northern Thailand.

Police and soldiers discovered the white vehicle in an alley behind a mall in Chiang Rai province.

When they opened its rear door on Saturday evening, they found several sacks filled with hay and Superpower 90 emulsion explosives, often used to clear earth and tunnels.

Officers immediately cleared a 100-metre radius before safely removing and defusing the bombs.

Residents said the van had been at the scene for around six months, sparking suspicions that it might be rigged.

Authorities believe the explosives were destined Myanmar's Shan State, to be used in mining manganese, gold, and rare earth minerals.

Rare earth mining in Myanmar has expanded rapidly, with most of the output smuggled into China to support its technology and renewable energy sectors.

The trade is linked to armed groups and has caused widespread environmental damage and community displacement.