Dozens of co-ordinated arson attacks hit southern Thailand

Over fifty coordinated arson and incendiary attacks targeting unrest have been executed across Thailand's insurgency-prone south, according to the Thai military. At least two individuals sustained injuries as a local government office, a convenience store, and a stolen car were set ablaze. The incidents unfolded between 8:00 PM local time (1:00 AM GMT) and midnight on Saturday in the southern border provinces, with the majority occurring in Narathiwat province.

Additional attacks took place in neighboring Yala and Pattani provinces. The Bangkok Post reported that two women were injured when a bomb detonated in Muang district, Narathiwat province. Telecommunication towers were also set alight in various areas, prompting security officials to caution residents against handling any suspicious items.

An overnight curfew was enforced in Narathiwat province but was suspended on Sunday morning. No other attacks have been reported as of Sunday. The perpetrators of these arson attacks remain unidentified. Since 2004, a low-intensity conflict has been ongoing in Thailand's southernmost provinces, which are predominantly Buddhist. Muslim-majority rebels have been vying for increased autonomy in the region, resulting in over 7,000 casualties to date.

The insurgency is primarily orchestrated by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional. Since the commencement of peace talks facilitated by Malaysia in 2013, the negotiations have repeatedly stalled due to shifting governments in Bangkok and discord within both factions.