PATTANI, Thailand – Security forces in southern Thailand have heightened safety measures following a series of coordinated arson and bomb incidents targeting 68 locations across Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani provinces. Authorities said the incidents, which damaged government facilities, private property, and utility infrastructure, were intended to discredit state officials and retaliate against recent border law enforcement operations rather than inflict casualties.
In Pattani’s Nong Chik district, six armed assailants stormed the Bang Khao subdistrict administrative office and set fire to a fire truck and a garbage truck. Police suspect the perpetrators belong to a local insurgent cell linked to a suspect killed in a security operation on March 16.
Other targeted locations in Pattani included the Taluban municipal office in Sai Buri district, a wood processing plant operated by Southern Tech Wood (1993) Co., Ltd. in Yarang district that was set on fire, and the Pho Ming subdistrict administrative office in Panare district, where three vehicles were burned and a guard post was damaged by an improvised explosive device.
Across the region, the overnight incidents affected 36 sites in Narathiwat, 21 in Yala, and 11 in Pattani. Disruptions included setting fire to tires, damaging CCTV cameras and cell towers, and targeting local government offices.
Provincial authorities and security commanders have ordered strict surveillance around official facilities, key economic sites, and military bases to prevent further disruption and ensure municipal services remain operational. Investigation and evidence collection are ongoing to issue arrest warrants for those involved. (TNA)
