Arson and bomb attacks hit more than 70 locations in Thailand’s deep south, authorities say
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Dozens of coordinated arson and incendiary attacks across Thailand's insurgency-hit south over the weekend left at least three people injured and damaged government property, authorities said.
PHOTO: AFP
- Suspected insurgents carried out coordinated arson and bomb attacks at over 70 locations in Thailand's deep south, injuring at least three people and disrupting rail services.
- The attacks targeted four provinces amid a decades-long insurgency led mainly by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), with more than 7,800 deaths since 2004.
- Authorities imposed curfews and called for increased security, as peace talks with the BRN seek to address political grievances beyond reducing violence.
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BANGKOK – Suspected insurgents set fire to government buildings, shops, cars and utility poles in more than 70 locations across four of Thailand’s southernmost provinces over the weekend, injuring at least three people in a coordinated series of arson attacks, the authorities said.
More than 7,800 people have been killed in provinces bordering Malaysia since 2004, when the latest round of a long-running insurgency led mainly by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) flared.
There were at least 78 incidents across four provinces: 40 in Narathiwat, 21 in Yala, 15 in Pattani and two in Songkhla. No group has claimed responsibility.
Most of the attacks took place on the evening of Aug 22 across Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla, with more attacks on Aug 23.
A rail line was hit by explosives in Narathiwat, prompting the suspension of services in that section.
The authorities have imposed a curfew in Narathiwat, and at a meeting on Aug 23, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul asked the security forces to ensure public safety.
Thailand’s predominantly Muslim and ethnic Malay deep south has faced a decades-long insurgency seeking greater autonomy or independence.
The region was part of the independent Malay sultanate of Patani before its incorporation into Thailand was formalised in 1909.
The attacks come as Thailand seeks to revive peace talks with the BRN, the main separatist group fighting in the region.
Chief negotiator Thanut Suvarnananda told Reuters in August that Bangkok wanted to move beyond trading concessions for reduced violence and address political grievances, including governance.
Malaysian-facilitated peace talks have repeatedly stalled since they began in 2013.
Lieutenant-General Norathip Poinok, who commands the Thai army in the southern region, told the local media on Aug 24 that the authorities had received intelligence nearly two months ago warning of attacks on government buildings, shops and power infrastructure.
Norathip described the attacks as retaliation for crackdowns on insurgents and illicit businesses, including drug and contraband trafficking, that fund militant groups. REUTERS
