Thailand's deep south tense after arson and bomb attacks
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, authorities said.
Suspected insurgents carried out a series of arson attacks in southern Thailand over the weekend, setting fire to government buildings, shops, cars, and utility poles in more than 70 locations across four provinces, injuring at least three people, authorities reported. The attacks killed more than 7,800 people since 2004, when the insurgency led primarily by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) resumed.
There were at least 78 incidents in Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and Songkhla provinces. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place mostly on Saturday evening and continued on Sunday. One rail line in Narathiwat was hit by explosives, leading to service suspensions. A curfew has been imposed in Narathiwat, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for security forces to ensure public safety during a meeting on Sunday.
The Muslim-majority and ethnic Malay deep south has been experiencing a long-running insurgency seeking greater autonomy or independence since the region was incorporated into Thailand in 1909. Thailand is attempting to restart peace talks with the BRN, the main separatist group, but Malaysian-facilitated talks have stalled since 2013.
The attacks are seen as retaliation for crackdowns on insurgents and illicit businesses that fund insurgent groups.
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