Thailand: Roadside bomb explosion wounds three in Yala February 6

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on a road in Yaha district (Yala province) on Tuesday, February 6, leaving three people wounded. Separatist insurgents are suspected to have planted the IED. Additional separatist militant attacks are possible in Yala province in the coming weeks.

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 14 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, suspected insurgents shot and killed a village official in Mueang Yala district (Yala province) on February 5. Notably, on January 22, a motorcycle bomb attack killed at least three people and wounded 23 others in Mueang Yala district.

Advice

Individuals in the affected area are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for potential militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local 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 Cambodia and Myanmar borders due to the presence of armed militias.