Key facts
- Over 50 co-ordinated arson and incendiary attacks took place in Thailand's southern border provinces.
- Incidents occurred between 20:00 and midnight on Saturday.
- Targets included government offices, a convenience store, vehicles, and telecommunication towers.
- Two people were injured in the attacks.
- The military stated the attacks were aimed at creating unrest.
- No group has claimed responsibility.
Dozens of co-ordinated arson and incendiary attacks, numbering over 50, have been carried out across Thailand's southern border provinces, according to the Thai military. The incidents, which took place between 20:00 and midnight on Saturday, were described by the military's Internal Security Operations Command as being "aimed at creating unrest."
Most of the attacks were concentrated in Narathiwat province, with others occurring in neighbouring Yala and Pattani. Targets included a local government office building, a convenience store, stolen vehicles, and telecommunication towers. Two women were injured when a bomb exploded in Muang district, Narathiwat province. Security officials have warned residents about suspicious objects.
An overnight curfew was imposed in Narathiwat province following the attacks but was lifted on Sunday morning. No further incidents have been reported since Sunday. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the wave of co-ordinated attacks.
This region has been experiencing a low-level conflict since 2004, with rebels in the Muslim-majority area seeking greater autonomy from the Buddhist-majority Thai government. Over 7,000 people have been killed in the violence. The main insurgent group is identified as the Barisan Revolusi Nasional. Peace talks, facilitated by Malaysia since 2013, have faced repeated setbacks due to political instability in Bangkok and internal divisions.
Recently, in July, five soldiers were killed in a checkpoint attack in Narathiwat, which led to the postponement of planned dialogue sessions. Thai media reports indicate that insurgents frequently target security personnel and government facilities, sometimes in anticipation of visits by officials to the region. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his cabinet are scheduled to visit Hat Yai next week to discuss development and security matters.