South —
On October 25th, 2024, Thai Senator Chaiyong Maneerungsakul announced that security had been heightened in the Narathiwat province due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for 14 Tak Bai incident suspects at midnight.
Despite intensive monitoring by security forces, which successfully prevented any incidents last night, local sources reported that armed groups may plan attacks in the Mueang district between October 24th and 28th, especially in central and suburban Narathiwat.
Senator Chaiyong warned of intelligence indicating that two bombs were smuggled into the Tak Bai district and transported to the Mueang district for potential vehicle-based attacks. Consequently, a high-level security alert has been issued, with military personnel ordered to remain on duty in southern border areas.
He also highlighted that the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), also known as an Islamist Patani independence movement, is reportedly employing a dual strategy to intensify unrest through both violent incidents and political campaigns.
Public events, such as talks and film screenings commemorating the Tak Bai incident, aim to draw international attention to perceived injustices faced by Thailand’s Muslim communities.
Read our recent article about Southern bombings raising tensions over Tak Bai’s 20th anniversary.
According to security sources, if attacks in Narathiwat are thwarted, violence may extend to Songkhla, particularly in Hat Yai and Sadao’s economic hubs, where intensified surveillance and preventative measures are in place.
TPN covered the details about the Tak Bai incident here.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.