Risk intelligence (30/04/2021) - Thailand
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INSURGENCY UPDATE
Three killed in fiery insurgent attack in Pattani
PATTANI: Three family members were killed and two pickup trucks burned when assailants opened fire on the vehicles, which burst into flames, in Sai Buri district on Saturday morning, 24 April. The attack occurred on Pattani-Narathiwat Road No 42 in tambon Laharn, said Sai Buri police who were alerted around 0630hrs.
Officers who rushed to the scene found two people dead inside one of the burned-out pickups. Another one was seriously hurt and rushed to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. More than 30 spent cartridges of M19 and 9mm ammunition were found scattered over the road.
Police said the three family members had travelled from Hat Yai district in Songkhla in their Toyota Hilux Vigo pickup, loaded with foam and plastic products. They were preparing to deliver the goods to customers in Narathiwat province. As they were driving through tambon Laharn, four assailants on two motorcycles suddenly overtook the pickup and the pillion ridders opened fire on it. The attack caused Mr Suporn to use control of the vehicle, which hit a roadside tree and plunged into a ditch dividing the road. The gunmen walked toward the pickup and opened fire again before dousing it with petrol and setting it alight. The assailants then fled.
Source: Bangkok Post (26 April)
Risk advisory from Hill and Associates
The security situation in Thailand’s Deep South region remains volatile.
Violent incidents, such as hit-and-run or bomb attacks, roadside bombings, drive-by shootings, assassinations, arson and skirmishes between Patani-Malay separatist insurgents and security forces or government militias continue to occur sporadically across the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and the southern districts of Songkhla.
Most security-related incidents take place in rural areas, but main cities such as Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Hat Yay in the Buddhist-majority area of Songkhla province have been targeted by bombings in the past.
Bombings or other types of attacks in provinces outside of the insurgent’s main area of operation in the Malay-majority provinces are possible.
Occasional spikes in attacks are possible, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on public holidays such as the Buddhist Songkran Festival (Thai New Year) or on insurgent anniversaries.
Be advised that the risk of insurgent attacks remains elevated during the month of Ramadan from 13 April to 12 May.
A unilateral ceasefire by the main insurgent group BRN in April 2019 has led to respite of violence in the Deep South, and the number of security incidents and fatalities has since dropped considerably.
However, the informal nature of the arrangement means hostilities may pick up any time, and the low-intensity conflict will continue to persist amid the absence of a meaningful peace process.
We therefore advise to defer all non-essential travel to Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and the southern parts of Songkhla province – particularly Chana, Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, and Thepa districts.