Thailand Steps Up Security After Weekend Arson Attacks In South

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet & Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, Aug 24 (NNN) -- Following a series of arson attacks across Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala over the weekend, Thai authorities are beefing up security in the provinces and stepping up efforts to track down the perpetrators.

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had ordered security agencies to assess the situation, while the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 had deployed forces to secure affected areas.

"The primary goals are to ensure safety and minimise the impact on local citizens, shops, and Local Administrative Organisations (LAOs)," he told reporters at Government House on Monday.

On Saturday evening, a series of arson attacks was reported across the three southern border provinces targeting government buildings, convenience stores, shops, vehicles, and utility poles.

In Narathiwat, at least three people were injured. The province was placed under curfew from 10.15 pm on Saturday until 6 am on Sunday.

Further attacks and arson incidents were reported on Sunday, including at the Pho Ming municipal office in Panare, Pattani, where several parked vehicles were torched. No injuries were reported.

Authorities said more than 50 incidents were reported across the three provinces over the weekend. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.

Chatchai said the latest incidents were believed to be a symbolic retaliation for the government’s intensified security operations after five rangers were killed in Narathiwat last month.

He cautioned against attributing all the incidents to the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), saying the violence could have involved local criminal activities and illicit networks.

On Monday, Anutin, who is also Interior Minister, convened an urgent meeting of relevant security agencies, in particular to assess intelligence gathering and advance warnings, following criticism over a lack of preparedness. The meeting was attended by Chatchai, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and National Intelligence Agency Director Thanat Suwananon.

-- NNN-BERNAMA