The Thai military has reported that over 50 coordinated arson and firebomb attacks were carried out in the country’s insurgency-hit southern region. Authorities claim the attacks were intended to “create instability” in the country. This report comes from the BBC.
According to the report, the attacks took place between 8:00 PM and midnight local time on Saturday across several provinces along the southern border. The highest number of incidents occurred in Narathiwat province, with additional attacks reported in the neighboring provinces of Yala and Pattani.
At least two people were injured in the attacks. Targets included local government offices, a convenience store, a stolen vehicle, and several telecommunications towers.
A Bangkok Post report stated that two women were injured in a bomb explosion in Narathiwat’s Mueang district. Additionally, telecommunications towers were set ablaze in various areas.
Security officials have warned residents against touching any suspicious objects.
An overnight curfew imposed in Narathiwat following the attacks was lifted on Sunday morning; no new attacks were reported that day.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.
An armed conflict over demands for autonomy has been ongoing since 2004 in the Muslim-majority southern provinces of Buddhist-majority Thailand. More than 7,000 people have lost their lives in this violence.
One of the main insurgent groups is the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN). Although peace talks began in 2013 with Malaysian mediation, the process has repeatedly stalled due to changes in government in Bangkok and internal divisions within both sides.
Scheduled peace dialogues were also suspended last July after five soldiers were killed in a gun and bomb attack at a checkpoint in Narathiwat.
According to Thai media reports, insurgents frequently target security personnel and government facilities. In some instances, attacks have occurred prior to visits by government officials to the region. Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and members of his cabinet are scheduled to visit the city of Hat Yai in the southern province of Songkhla for two days next week.
