Thailand: Stolen vehicles used as bombs by suspected militants in the south

Event

Suspected separatist militants in southern Thailand stole six vehicles from a car dealership in Na Thawi district, Songkhla province, on Wednesday, August 16, killing one dealership employee during the raid. Police believe that the assailants carried out the attack with the intent to steal the vehicles to turn them into bombs. One stolen truck was located in Thepha district (Songkhla) later on Wednesday, the driver of which was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police; some 80 kg (175 lbs) of explosives were reportedly found inside the vehicle. One truck detonated on Wednesday afternoon in the Nong Chik district of Pattani province, reportedly injuring four soldiers. Another vehicle-borne improvised explosive device exploded on Thursday morning in the vicinity of the Mayo police station, in Pattani's Mayo district. The incident caused damage to property, but no reported loss of life. According to police, all of the stolen vehicles had been apprehended by authorities by August 17.

Security was tightened in the country's southern regions following the incident, with security forces on full alert and checkpoints set up on roads leading to and from towns.

Context

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. Such incidents are less common in neighboring Songkhla. According to Thai authorities, Wednesday's robbery was likely carried out in Songkhla to skirt the heavier security presence in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.

Advice

Individuals in the area are advised to monitor the situation and remain vigilant. 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.