BANGKOK: In a tragic series of attacks on Saturday night, five individuals were killed and more than a dozen injured in Thailand's southern provinces, an area that has been plagued by conflict since 2004, a situation characterized by the struggle for autonomy among the local Muslim population. According to Channel News Asia, a group of over 10 armed assailants launched an assault near the district office of Sungai Kolok, a town located on the Malaysia-Thailand border, around 7 pm local time. The attackers utilized firearms, explosives, and detonated bombs, leading to the deaths of two defense volunteers and wounding 12 others, including four civilians.

In a separate incident later that night in Pattani province, a roadside bomb exploded, killing three people, including two local village assistants and a ranger. This attack took place around 11 pm in Saiburi district, reported South China Morning Post.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra commented on the escalating violence, stating that the presence of security forces in the south, particularly during night shifts, would need to be bolstered to prevent future incidents. This situation follows a long-standing insurgency in the region that has claimed more than 7,000 lives over the past two decades, stemming from deep-seated ethnic and cultural divides, as the area is predominantly Muslim in a country that is primarily Buddhist.

The Thai government continues to grapple with sporadic violence despite ongoing peace talks. Investigations are currently underway to determine if the two attacks were connected, as officials work toward understanding the motives behind these harrowing events. For further details, read more from India Times.