Thailand: Authorities extend emergency decree in southern provinces for three months September 16

Event

On Wednesday, September 16, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in an Emergency Situation in place in three southern provinces will be extended for a further three months. Prayut signed the extension on Friday, September 11, and it has been approved by the cabinet. The decree covers all districts in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, with the exceptions of Srisakhon, Su-Ngai Kolok, and Sukirin districts in Narathiwat, Betong district in Yala, and Maikaen and Maelan in Pattani. The decree allows the government to impose curfews, ban public gatherings, limit travel, censor news, and detain suspects without charge, among other powers.

Strict security controls are expected to continue in the southern provinces over the medium term and security operations against insurgents are possible.

Context

This will be the 61st extension of the decree, which was originally put in effect in 2005. Over 7000 people have been killed since 2001 in the ongoing ethnic and religious insurgency in Thailand's southern provinces. Attacks targeting security patrols, government infrastructure, and other more random targets are frequent in these regions, as well as security force counter-operations.

Advice

Those in the area are advised to monitor events, remain vigilant, and follow instructions issued by local authorities.