Thailand: Explosion and shooting attack in Sai Buri District, Pattani Province, injures at least five police officers July 10

Event

Assailants attacked a police vehicle in Kadunong, Sai Buri District, Pattani Province, July 10, reportedly detonating an explosive device near the vehicle and shooting at it before fleeing the scene. At least five police personnel were injured in the attack; official casualty counts may rise. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack. Additional security force personnel have deployed to the area.

Context

Separatist organizations claiming to represent the interests of ethnic Malays conduct occasional attacks in Thailand's Deep South, including in Pattani Province. Roadside shootings and bombings are the most common type of insurgent attacks in the region. Militants typically use mobile phones or other electronic devices to detonate pre-planted bombs, which are often fashioned out of gas canisters or fire extinguishers.

The insurgency will likely continue in the medium term, though there has been a decrease in attacks in recent years due to a combination of factors, including more government informants on the ground and tighter security operations. Authorities and the insurgent groups have had on-and-off peace talks since 2004. However, the talks are unlikely to resolve the conflict in the immediate future due to political instability in Bangkok and disagreement among insurgent groups.