Assailants executed a coordinated bombing campaign at almost a dozen petrol stations in southern Thailand in the early hours of Sunday, resulting in injuries to four individuals, according to military officials. This incident marks the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict that has plagued the region since 2004, with thousands having lost their lives amid the struggle for autonomy by rebels in the predominantly Muslim provinces bordering Malaysia.
The explosions occurred within a rapid 40-minute timeframe after midnight, affecting 11 petrol stations across Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala—Thailand’s southernmost provinces. Local administration reported that an unknown group of individuals orchestrated the bombings, severely damaging fuel pumps in the process.
Narathiwat’s Governor, Boonchauy Homyamyen, confirmed to the media that the simultaneous nature of the attacks suggested a methodical approach. One police officer sustained injuries in Narathiwat, while a firefighter and two petrol station employees were hurt in Pattani. Fortunately, all four victims were transported to hospitals, where officials reported that none sustained life-threatening injuries.
In light of the attacks, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul indicated that security agencies interpreted these bombings as a “signal” coinciding with ongoing elections for local administrative officials. He clarified that authorities did not consider the incident as an act of insurgency.
The military’s southern commander, Narathip Phoynok, announced that he had escalated security protocols to the highest levels throughout the affected areas, which includes enhanced road checkpoints and border security measures. The southern region of Thailand is marked by its unique cultural identity, starkly different from the predominantly Buddhist northern regions of the country. The Thai government has maintained a heavy presence of security forces in the area, which continues to be a frequent target of insurgent activities.
