Thailand: Local official killed by gunman in Narathiwat province June 2

Event

An unidentified gunman reportedly shot and killed a village leader in Ra-ngae district (Narathiwat province) on Sunday, June 2. At least one other person was wounded in the attack, which took place at the Ban Arware Mosque. 

No claim of responsibility was immediately reported. Similar attacks are possible in Narathiwat province over the near term.

Context

An ongoing insurgency in Thailand's four southernmost provinces (Songkhla, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala) has killed over 6000 people since it intensified in 2004. The insurgency has been ongoing in some parts of Thailand's southern provinces since the 1950s and, despite recent withdrawals of Thai security forces and slightly reduced rates of violence, it is unlikely that insurgent attacks will cease in the foreseeable future.

Advice

Individuals in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, report all suspicious objects or behavior to the police, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Some governments advise against nonessential travel to these four provinces due to the underlying security threat.