Thailand: Ranger shot dead in Pattani (South) August 24

Event

On Friday, August 24, a volunteer ranger was gunned down in an ambush staged near a military outpost in Panare district (Pattani province), on the Pattani-Narathiwat road. According to the authorities, the killing may be related to the insurgency ongoing for decades in the four southernmost Muslim-majority provinces.

Context

An ethnic and religious separatist insurgency is ongoing in these provinces, which make up the historical Malay Patani region. Since 2001, over 7000 people have been killed (local residents, civil servants, security personnel, militants) and many more injured in near-daily clashes and assassinations.

Advice

As a reminder, some Western governments advise against travel to these four provinces - Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and the south of Songkhla - located near Thai-Malaysia border. Individuals in this area should remain cautious and adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities.