Picture from responders.

 

A shocking attack occurred on the afternoon of December 26, when insurgents planted a bomb and opened fire on an armoured vehicle carrying police officers in Ban Bannang Krachae, Village 5, Thanto Subdistrict, Thanto District, Yala Province.

 

The vehicle, driven by Police Senior Sergeant Major Sorawit Chumchuen, was en route to the local market to procure supplies. The blast severely damaged the vehicle and caused fatal injuries to Sgt. Sorawit, who tragically passed away while being transported to Thanto Hospital.

 

In an attempt to hinder the pursuit, the attackers cut down trees to block the roadway, scattered metal spikes, and placed suspicious objects along the escape route. These tactics significantly delayed emergency responders and complicated the investigation.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Phonlakorn Srichai, Deputy Inspector of Thanto Police Station, led an initial investigation at the scene. Authorities believe the attack was aimed at escalating unrest in the region.

 

Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act. The authorities have extended their condolences to the victim’s family and continue to monitor the situation in the area.

 

-- 2024-12-27

 

 

23 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities believe the attack was aimed at escalating unrest in the region.

The Malay Muslim insurrection to regain back some degree of autonomy of the Muslim dominated area formerly known as the sovereign Kingdom of Patani has been ongoing for more than two decades.  With the exception of the Yingluck Thai government's willingness to negotiate a resolution, there is nothing to escalate per se.

Since the Thaksin then Prayut and succeeding Thai governments, there has appeared to be tolerance to the death and destruction resulting from the insurrection on both sides. Irrespective of Thai governments seeming facade to conduct peace negotiations with Muslim Federation of Malaysia and major Malay Muslim insurrection groups - given that in all this time of decades, the Thai government has maintained a State of Emergency over the area that denies the Muslims of all Thai constitutional freedoms.

Jaw jaw rather than war war is the only solution.

 

Lessons from the Blair negotiation and accord over the Northern Ireland situation should be considered in the Thai approach to the insurrection in the South.

No territory changed hands but the level of violence and quality of life improved greatly by negotiation and compromise by all parties.

On 12/27/2024 at 6:01 AM, Georgealbert said:

was en route to the local market to procure supplies.

 

Sadly, if this was a routine visit to the market, the insurgents would have known and planted their bomb for full effect!