Thailand: Roadside bomb wounds five in Narathiwat December 6

Event

A roadside bomb, planted by suspected insurgents, exploded in the southern Narathiwat province on Wednesday, December 6, wounding five paramilitary officers. The bomb exploded around 10:00 (local time) on Dusongyor-Rangae Road in Chanae district.

Context

A separatist insurgency in Thailand's three Muslim-majority southern provinces - Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat - has claimed more than 6800 lives since it first began 13 years ago, with both militants and Thailand's military accused of human rights abuses. Low-intensity bombings and assassinations often occur in the region, which is heavily patrolled by soldiers and police.

Most recently, on November 30, at least two people were wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in Cho Ai Rong district (Narathiwat province).

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 Cambodia and Myanmar borders due to the presence of armed militias.