Thailand: Militant attacks in Pattani (south) August 7-8

Event

One villager was killed and a Volunteer Defense Corps member was injured by gunmen during attacks carried out late on Wednesday, August 8, in the districts of Mayo and Kapho (Pattani province). A day earlier, two Volunteer Defense Corps were shot dead by insurgents in the district of Sungai Padi.

Context

Insurgent attacks have been ongoing in the southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat (as well as in several districts of Songkhla province) since 2004. Martial law has been in effect in these areas since 2006. Acts of arson, bombings, and shootings targeting civilians, security forces, government offices, shops, markets, and transportation infrastructure are regularly reported. Nearly 8000 people have been killed and thousands more wounded in the violence, including foreign nationals.

Advice

As a reminder, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to the above provinces, located on the Thai-Malaysia border.