Dozens of attacks in southern Thailand wound three people

Key Points:

• Dozens of coordinated arson and incendiary attacks occurred across southern Thailand, mainly in Narathiwat province, injuring three civilians and damaging multiple government offices and vehicles, according to the military’s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC).
• The attacks took place between 8pm and midnight on Saturday, with a curfew imposed overnight in Narathiwat, and involved burning tyres, a 7-Eleven store fire, and a roadside bombing that wounded two women and a man.
• The southern provinces have experienced a low-level conflict since 2004, with over 7,000 deaths as Muslim rebels seek greater autonomy from the Buddhist-majority Thai state; no group has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks.
• Authorities are investigating the incidents, which included damage to telecommunications infrastructure and a railway line, while security forces had received intelligence about potential attacks but could not predict exact timing or locations.
• Peace talks between the Thai government and the main separatist group, the BRN, are expected to resume in June amid ongoing violence, with new government efforts aiming to transform the group from an adversary into a partner in addressing local demands.