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Large scale attacks result in high number of casualties
107 injuries were reported in the month of May in the three Southern Border Provinces (SBP) – a huge increase to previous months, and a result of several large scale attacks. On May 6, at around 2pm, a motocycle bomb exploded in Hat Yai, Songkla province, injuring eight people – two policemen and six civilians. Two suspected insurgents were arrested in suspicion of carrying out the attacks.
During the night of Sunday May 11, Yala and Narathiwat provinces witnessed a series of coordinated attacks. In Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat province, four bombs exploded in different locations, which killed one woman and injured 12 others. In Tak Bai, a hand grenade thrown at a customs office resulted in five injuries. Further bomb and gun attacks occurred on the same night in Bannang Sata, Muang, Than To, and Krong Pinang districts, causing damage to the surrounding area but leaving no casualties.
Increase of attacks following military coup on May 22
There was a marked increase in large scale attacks following the military coup on May 22, as insurgents may have seized the opportunity while all focus was on the capital. On May 24, at around 19:30, simultaneous attacks took place at 15 different locations in Pattani and Narathiwat, killing three and injuring between 63 and 70 others. Tor 229 patrol boat was also hit by an explosive device, and as a result navy officers were ordered to be on their highest alert. A further highly destructive attack occurred on May 28 in Muang district, Pattani Province. Ten people were injured, including one soldier, three defense volunteers, and six civilians, when a bomb exploded in the car park of Khok Pho hospital. Dozens of vehicles were also badly damaged. Overall, eight insurgent-related fatalities were reported in the month of May, resulting from five separate attacks.
Pattani witnesses highest number of Casualties
Narathiwat, Songkla, and Pattani all witnessed large scale attacks in May, 2014, causing many casualties, and a lot of damage. In Narathiwat, a total of 16 people were injured, and 2 killed. In Songkla, there were no reported deaths, but 8 reported injuries after two bombs exploded in Hat Yai district on May 6, which resulted in a large decrease in tourism in this usually popular spot. Pattani witnessed the highest number of casualties in May, resulting from the attacks on May 24 and May 28, with 86 injuries and 5 deaths.
After the Hat Yai attacks, executives from 22 schools created a security plan to be effective immediately, which included deploying military and defense volunteers to patrol the routes teachers take to school and to be stationed around schools during opening hours. Teachers must now report to security officials if they plan to leave or arrive later. This comes among ongoing risks to teachers, who have been targeted by insurgents for as long as the conflict has existed. On May 19 a bomb exploded in Narathiwat while rangers provided protection for teachers at a school, at 8:40am, seriously injuring one of the guards. The Chairman of the Confederation of Teachers in Narathiwat subsequently called for peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional to resume. Five senior police officers were transferred to inactive posts in Su-ngai Kolok, Narathiwat, due to their failure to stop the May 11 attacks which caused much devastation and injury.
Indiscriminate attacks leave many civilian casualties
A total of 101 civilians were victims of insurgency-related attacks in May, 2014 – more than double the amount from last month which stood at 44. This reflects the increase of large-scale attacks occurring in Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkla provinces, with bombs detonated in public places such as outside 7/11 stores and gas stations. 11 military personnel were victims of attacks, most of which were carried out using guns.
The new school term began this month but no teachers have yet been attacked. Nevertheless, they still face a high risk, but local security forces had to inform administrations that there aren’t enough troops to protect teachers and schools in vulnerable areas. Many view this as a demonstration of the failure of the government to effectively handle Thailand’s highest security threat. Talks were held between soldiers, police and school administrations on how to improve the protection for teachers, and the military were urged to introduce more stringent measures. 24-hour patrols are to be introduced in hotspot areas to limit the movement of possible attackers.
For further information on the insurgency-related attacks, please consult the incident map on the HDFF website.
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