Arson attacks struck 23 places in Thailand‘s southernmost provinces late last evening, inflicting damage to cell phone antenna towers, and power poles, and resulting within the burning of tyres. The attacks occurred between 9pm and 11pm, with officers providing updates on the scenario on Friday.
The affected areas spanned throughout three provinces: Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. In Yala, seven places in Muang, Raman, and Thanto districts have been hit. Pattani noticed 12 locations focused in Muang, Nong Chik, Sai Buri, and Yarang districts; and four places in Muang, Rueso, and Tak Bai districts of Narathiwat had been affected.
Although mobile phone signals skilled disruptions briefly in some areas, no energy outages have been reported on account of the assaults.
In a associated incident, banners carrying the message “Democracy is Patani peace” have been hung in Chana, Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, and Thepha districts of the neighbouring Songkhla province. The underlying motive and people responsible for the arson attacks stay unclear. Authorities are at present investigating the incidents as they aim to restore a sense of security within the affected communities.
Try before you buy have raised issues over the potential resurgence of violence within the southern area of Thailand, the place tensions have been simmering for years. These provinces have experienced sporadic assaults up to now, with a few of them being attributed to an ongoing insurgency by ethno-nationalist militant groups in search of greater autonomy for the region.
The recent string of arson attacks underscores the importance of addressing the underlying causes of unrest in Thailand’s southern provinces. The government has previously expressed a dedication to discovering a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict, indicating plans for dialogue and pursuing potential avenues for negotiation. However, the trail to a long-lasting resolution stays elusive, as the federal government grapples with a myriad of challenges, including poverty, corruption, and alleged human rights abuses..