Suspected insurgent bombs explode in southern Thailand, six patrolmen injured
A local government building was set on fire.
SONGKHLA: Suspected insurgent bombs exploded in two separate attacks in restive southern Thailand, injuring six members of a security unit in one of the bombing incidents, it has been reported.
In the first attack, suspected insurgents bombed an ATM booth and set a local government office ablaze in the southern Thai province of Songkhla early Saturday (Sept. 14).
The ATM booth, located in front of the Ban Nod Tambon Administration Organisation (TAO) office in Saba Yoi district, was targeted by a bomb around 1.50am, according to Police Lieutenant Nathan Khemisaranon, Thaiger reported.
Simultaneously, the TAO office was set ablaze, damaging the building and several parked vehicles. No injuries were reported.
A bomb disposal team, which was deployed to the site Sunday (Sept. 15) morning to check for additional explosives, discovered a fire truck damaged in the arson attack. The building’s damage will reportedly be more thoroughly assessed on Monday (Sept. 16).
Initial investigations showed about six assailants were involved in detonating the bomb at the ATM booth before they entered the TAO office and set it on fire. They also shot at the building over 10 times before security camera footage showed them escaping on three motorcycles.
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Police suspected that these attacks were part of a broader insurgents’ effort to incite unrest in the area, Thaiger reported, citing the Bangkok Post.
In the second attack, six members of a local security unit were injured in a bombing in Cho Airong District, Narathiwat Province, while they were on teachers’ security detail. The attackers fled after a brief exchange of gunfire with authorities, Thaiger reported.
The bomb, hidden inside a drainpipe under a road, exploded at about 7.30am while the security team was patrolling the area on motorcycles only 400 metres from their base.
Southern Thai insurgency has been ongoing for two decades and primarily affects the neighbouring provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani. However, incidents in Songkhla have become more frequent in recent years, Thaiger reported further.
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