Thailand: Deadly ambush in Narathiwat (south) August 8

Event

Two Volunteer Defense Corps members were killed in an ambush carried out by suspected Muslim insurgents in Sungai Padi district (Narathiwat province) on Wednesday, August 8. The restive province, located in the south of the country, has been the theater of a nearly 15-year-long insurgency by Muslim separatists.

The Volunteer Defense Corps is a paramilitary that operates under the authority of the Ministry of Interior and provides support to the armed forces to protect civilians living in border regions.

Context

Insurgent attacks have been ongoing in the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat (as well as in several districts of Songkhla province) since 2004. Martial law has been in effect in these areas since 2006. Acts of arson, bombings, and shootings targeting civilians, security forces, government offices, shops, markets, and transportation infrastructure are regularly reported. Nearly 8000 people have been killed and thousands more wounded in the violence, including foreign nationals.

Advice

As a reminder, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the above provinces, located on the Thai-Malaysia border.