10-8-2024 (BANGKOK) A series of coordinated explosions rocked the southern Thai province of Pattani on Friday, leaving ten people injured, including nine police officers. The attack, believed to be the work of suspected southern insurgents, unfolded near the entrance of a fishing port in Bana subdistrict, close to police residential flats.
The incident began at approximately 1:20 pm when authorities received reports of an initial explosion. As officers rushed to the scene, two subsequent blasts followed in quick succession, with the final detonation involving a vehicle bomb. This calculated approach suggests a deliberate attempt to maximise casualties among responding security personnel.
Despite the intensity of the blasts, medical officials reported that none of the victims sustained life-threatening injuries. Nevertheless, the attack has sent shockwaves through the local community and reignited concerns about ongoing insurgent activities in Thailand’s restive southern provinces.
The first improvised explosive device (IED) was strategically placed on the roadside near a makeshift shop. Fortuitously, due to it being a public holiday, civilian casualties were avoided. Approximately 20 minutes later, as authorities were securing the perimeter, a second IED detonated near a rubbish bin close to a security post, roughly 200 metres from the initial blast site.
The most destructive explosion came from a white Isuzu pickup truck, disguised as a vendor’s vehicle, parked about 250 metres from the second blast site. As officers in an armoured vehicle approached to investigate, the vehicle bomb was remotely detonated, causing significant damage to nearby structures and shattering windows in the adjacent police flats.
Local law enforcement, working in conjunction with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, have launched a comprehensive investigation. They are meticulously examining CCTV footage from all entry and exit points in the area. Preliminary findings suggest a well-orchestrated attack involving at least 6-8 individuals, utilising motorcycles for transportation and escape.
The Security Investigation Unit posits that this assault may be a retaliatory strike by insurgents following recent operations that resulted in the deaths of several suspects in the region. Intelligence reports had warned of potential attacks, prompting increased security measures throughout Pattani province, particularly in urban areas.
Authorities believe the attackers may have initially targeted the city centre but, faced with heightened security, opted for this peripheral location instead. The modus operandi bears similarities to previous insurgent attacks in the region, characterised by a sequence of explosions designed to draw in and then target security forces.
