Thailand: Suspected separatist insurgents kill one person in Pattani May 31

Event

On the evening of Thursday, May 31 (local time), suspected separatist militants shot and killed a doctor in the Khok Pho district of Pattani. The motive of the attack remained unclear as of Friday, June 1. Additional militant attacks are possible in southern Thailand in the coming weeks.

Context

A separatist insurgency in Thailand's Muslim-majority southern provinces - Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla - 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.

Advice

Individuals in southern regions of Thailand 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.