Thailand: IED blast injures five policemen in Songkhla province December 12

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) attack injured at least five policemen in Thepha District (Songkhla province) on Thursday, December 12. The incident occurred at approximately 15:45 (local time) on the Thepha-Lamplai Road.

According to authorities, the attack is believed to be in a retaliation for the arrests of local insurgents in November.

Similar attacks targeting infrastructure or security forces are possible in the region in the near term.

Context

An ethnic and religious separatist insurgency is ongoing in the provinces of Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala, which make up the historical Malay Pattani region in the extreme south of the country along the Thai-Malaysian border. Since 2001, over 7000 people have been killed (e.g. local residents, civil servants, security personnel, militants, and many more wounded in near-daily clashes and assassinations.

Advice

Individuals in Songkhla province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant and criminal activity, expect heightened security measures, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and the south of Songkhla. Individuals in these areas should remain cautious and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.