Risk intelligence (30/04/2021) - Thailand
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.
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.
Risk intelligence (19/03/2021) - Thailand
THAI CIVIL UNREST UPDATE
Tensions are again running high in Thailand following the announcement of the Ratsadon protest movement in mid-February to intensify their protests after four of their key leaders were sent into pre-trial detention on royal defamation charges.
Their continued detention and the increasing number of key activists who face jail time over lese-majeste or sedition charges has become the main rallying cry for the protesters, suggesting that momentum has shifted in favour of the government.
Generally, the protest movement can be expected to mobilise several thousand supporters, but it is becoming increasingly unlikely that it will be able to generate the massive turnout it achieved at the height of the unrest in late 2020, before a second coronavirus outbreak brought an end to the protests.
Risk Intelligence (01/03/2021) - China
Last week, the Financial Times ran an editorial on HSBC’s “pivot to Asia,” a decision underpinned both by business interests and, according to the Editorial Board, a “recognition of the new political reality.” HSBC, perhaps more so than any other company, has found itself between a rock and a hard place in Hong Kong.
This short article sets out points and positions of interest and relevance.
Risk Intelligence (25/02/2021) Indonesia
Papuan communities across Indonesia continue to stage demonstrations against the extension of the province’s special autonomy (Otsus) ahead of its expiry at the end of the year.
Activists and students gathered outside the Ministry of Home Affairs in Central Jakarta yesterday to demand that the government not extend Otsus on the grounds that it has not improved the welfare of Papuans.
Risk intelligence (18/02/2021) - Indonesia Covid-19 prevention measures
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