Thailand: Bombings in Bangkok and Yala province on May 22

Event

Two attacks occurred, in the capital Bangkok and in the southern province of Yala, on Monday, May 22, the third anniversary of the 2014 military coup which placed the current Thai government in power.

At least 24 four people were injured in an explosion at the King Mongkut Hospital in central Bangkok. The blast occurred in a guest room for retired military officials. Authorities confirmed the explosion was caused by a bomb; neither the motive nor the group responsible for the attack have been confirmed.

In Yala province, four soldiers were injured when a roadside bomb went off on Monday morning in Muang district. This attack is believed to have been perpetrated by a militant group active in the area.

Context

The Thai government had announced that increased security measures would be implemented throughout major cities ahead of the May 22 anniversary after it had expressed concern that anti-government groups were attempting to trigger unrest within the country following a series of minor explosions in the capital over the past  year.

A separatist insurgency in Thailand's three Muslim-majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat has claimed more than 6800 lives since it erupted 13 years ago, with both militants and Thailand's military accused of human rights abuses. Low-intensity bombings and assassinations often occur in the area, which is heavily patrolled by soldiers and police. Thailand annexed the three southernmost Muslim Malay provinces more than a century ago and they have long chafed under rule from Bangkok.

Advice

Individuals in Thailand are advised to avoid large gatherings as a precaution and to report any suspicious activity or objects to the relevant authorities.

As a reminder, most Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, as well as the province of Songkhla and areas along the Cambodian and Burmese borders due to the presence of armed militias.