The ‘Deep South,’ encompassing three provinces in Southern Thailand—Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani—as well as four districts in Songkhla, has remained ‘calm’ since the Patani Malay National Revolutionary Front (BRN) announced a temporary cessation of violence on May 29, 2024.

There have been no guerrilla wars waged by any armed groups against the Thai security forces, either using firearms or bomb attacks.

However, still waters should not be taken for granted. Strong undercurrents of resentment continue to simmer among certain factions, including those who oppose the peace process between the Thai government and the BRN.

This has led to the emergence of ‘hotspots’ in several areas, with certain groups continuing to fuel the spirit of struggle among the Patani Malay community in Southern Thailand.

They do this physically and by recalling past bitter memories or tragedies.

In recent days, there have been several ‘protests’ by certain groups, with writings that incite the fighting spirit of the Patani Malay community—’Patani Merdeka’ (Free Patani).

These words were written on school walls and bridges for public viewing.

Yesterday (June 13, 2024), Thai authorities conducted an investigation in Bannang Sata district in Yala after receiving public information and discovered homemade explosives.

The explosives were in the form of a 10-kilogram gas cylinder modified into a fire extinguisher, with wires and other devices found in the grassy area by the roadside of Ban Tabing Tinggi, Bannang Sata.

Earlier, members of the 3302 Battalion of the Ranger Regiment patrolling the area received public information about the suspicious object around 10:30 a.m.

Initial inspections found suspicious objects, including a red fire extinguisher, wires, and other devices hidden by the roadside of Yala to Betong road. Authorities then closed the road to all traffic to facilitate the inspection.

A team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit from Yala and forensic experts were sent for further investigation, and it was identified as an explosive device.

In another development, the Special Unit of the Ranger Regiment arrested two suspicious individuals believed to be involved in a motorcycle bomb explosion in a crowded area (Bird’s Cage) in Narathiwat town on May 6. This brings the total number of individuals arrested related to the Narathiwat bombing to five.

Both individuals, identified through closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, were arrested while passing through a checkpoint in Mukim Cha Kwa, Raman district, Yala, around 4 p.m. yesterday.

The two, known as Sulanhan and Jekamaru, hail from Tak Bai district, Narathiwat.

Around 10 p.m. on May 6, two Malaysians were among nine individuals injured in a motorcycle bomb explosion in Narathiwat town.

The two Malaysians are Hariza Aziz, 38, and Siti Aishah Ismail. Following the incident, authorities arrested two suspects linked to the Narathiwat bombing.

Meanwhile, authorities also arrested a man suspected of being a member of an armed group after he shot dead a sub-district administrative office staff member in Nong Chik district, Pattani, yesterday.

Earlier, the police received information that a government employee, Thammarong Phromprasit, 43, was attacked by a group of men while riding a motorcycle to the office around 6:40 a.m.

Based on CCTV investigations and information from residents, the police subsequently arrested a man in a village not far from the scene.

From his behavior, the police believe the man is a member of an armed group operating in Nong Chik district.