South rocked by arson & bomb attacks in 9 locations

Pictures courtesy of NBT. 

The deep South was shaken during the night of 31 August, by a wave of arson and bomb attacks across three provinces, with at least nine incidents reported within hours. Authorities believe the violence was symbolically timed to coincide with the anniversary of the Bersatu separatist movement’s founding and Malaysia’s National Day.

In Narathiwat, five attacks were recorded:

• At 19:50, a bomb detonated on Highway 4056 in Paluru, Su-ngai Padi district, injuring two people and damaging a car.

• Two blasts followed in Chanae district, near Dusongyor mosque at 23:55 and later at a local market at 00:30. No casualties were reported.

• Another explosion struck outside a Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC) branch in Bajoh at 23:55.

• A further blast occurred at 00:05 in front of a BAAC ATM in Cho-airong, followed by another at 00:30 near an ATM in front of Tamayung Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, Si Sakhon district.

In Yala, three incidents were reported:

• At 23:56, tyres were set alight on Highway 409 in Ban Neang, Muang district.

• At 00:53, a bomb destroyed an ATM inside a PTT petrol station in Budi, Muang district.

• Another ATM was blown up at a PTT station in Kabang district.

In Pattani, a single attack was reported at 00:15 when an explosive device targeted an ATM belonging to the Islamic Bank in Puyut, Muang district.

Authorities suspect the attacks were coordinated as a show of force, coinciding with 31 August, both the anniversary of the separatist Bersatu movement and Malaysia’s Independence Day. Security forces have stepped up patrols and forensic teams are investigating each scene.

While no deaths were reported, the incidents have heightened concerns over renewed insurgent activity in the region.

  Adapted by Asean Now from NBT 2025-09-01