Thai authorities stated that over 70 locations in the southernmost four provinces were set on fire by suspected insurgents last weekend, targeting government buildings, shops, cars, and utility poles. This series of violence has resulted in at least 3 injuries.
Since 2004, a long-standing insurgency allegedly carried out by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Patani (BRN), identified as an Islamic separatist militant group, has led to over 7,800 deaths in several provinces in southern Thailand bordering Malaysia, according to Reuters.
On Saturday (22nd) evening to Sunday, there were a total of 78 attack incidents in four provinces of Thailand, including 40 in Narathiwat, 21 in Yala, 15 in Pattani, and 2 in Songkhla.
No organization has claimed responsibility for these events.
A railway track in Narathiwat was attacked by explosives, resulting in the temporary suspension of train services on that section. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) subsequently closed the Maruebo to Tanyong Mat section in Narathiwat due to damage caused by the explosive attack on the concrete sleepers.
The Narathiwat mission forces announced a curfew from 22:15 on August 22nd to 6:00 on the 23rd. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held a meeting on Sunday to urge security forces to ensure public safety.
Lieutenant General Norathip Poinok, Commander of the Fourth Army Region and head of the Fourth Area Internal Security Operations Command in Thailand, told the media on Monday that they had received intelligence about possible attacks on government buildings, shops, and infrastructure like electricity about two months ago.
Norathip stated that these attacks were retaliation against the authorities for cracking down on insurgents and illegal activities, including drug trafficking and smuggling that fund armed groups.
For decades, the deep south region of Thailand, predominantly Muslim with a Malay ethnic background, has been experiencing insurgency movements demanding greater autonomy or independence.
Before being officially annexed into Thailand in 1909, the area was the territory of the ancient Islamic kingdom, the Sultanate of Patani.
As these attacks occurred, Thailand was preparing to restart peace talks with the BRN.
Thanut Suvarnananda, the chief negotiator for the peace talks in southern Thailand, informed Reuters earlier this month that Bangkok aimed to address not just reducing violence through concessions but also tackle political grievances, including governance issues.
Since 2013, peace talks between the Malaysian-brokered Thai government and BRN have faced repeated deadlock.