NARATHIWAT (Southern Thailand): The calm in the ‘Deep South’ has been disrupted again after a period of relative peace. Armed groups blew up an ATM, fired shots, and set fire to an administrative office in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla, early this morning.

The incident reportedly occurred in Ban Nod, Saba Yoi, 147 kilometers from Narathiwat, around 1:50 AM. However, no casualties or injuries have been reported.

The ‘Deep South’ refers to a hot zone that includes Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, as well as four districts in Songkhla Province – Saba Yoi, Tepha, Chana, and Natawee.

The location of the incident borders Khok Po in Pattani Province, which is where security forces killed three armed group members in a six-day battle in a rubber plantation area on July 16.

Saba Yoi District Police were informed that a group of individuals had planted and detonated a bomb at a government-owned ATM in front of the Ban Nod sub-district administrative center.

The group also set fire to the sub-district administrative building and fired at least 10 shots at the building before fleeing.

Initial investigations suggest that the group used three motorcycles as escape vehicles, heading towards Ban Krasae, in the Ban Nod sub-district, an area bordering Khok Pho District in Pattani.

Regarding the motive and causes, authorities believe the act was carried out by armed groups seeking to create unrest in the area.

Saba Yoi District is one of the four districts in Songkhla Province, which is a security zone. Due to its location bordering three conflict-ridden areas, the Internal Security Act 2008 has been enforced in this area.