A municipal office in Pattani was targeted by a bomb and arson attack late on Sunday, following a series of coordinated incidents across Thailand’s southern border provinces the previous night.
The attack took place at around 9:10pm at the Pho Ming municipal office in Panare district. An explosive device damaged the security booth, while a fire was started inside the office garage.
A garbage truck, rescue pickup and fire engine were seriously damaged, although no injuries or deaths were reported.
Sunday’s incident came after approximately 50 bombings and arson attacks struck locations across Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala on Saturday night, leaving two women injured.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who oversees security policy in the region, said authorities had not yet established the motive or identified those responsible for the escalation.
Speaking in Bangkok, Mr Sihasak expressed concern over the current frequency of attacks. He acknowledged that intelligence agencies had received advance warnings of possible coordinated violence and said security authorities should have responded more quickly.
National Intelligence Agency director Thanut Suvarnananda suggested the perpetrators may be attempting to strengthen their position ahead of peace talks for the southern border region, which are expected to resume in late October.
He said the selection of government offices and public property appeared symbolic. Another possibility was that armed groups wanted to use stored ammunition and explosives before they deteriorated during the rainy season.
Mr Thanut also said recent efforts to suppress illicit trade, including substantial drug seizures in the region, may have contributed to the renewed violence.
Intelligence officials were aware of the individuals believed to be behind the attacks, he added, but were unable to disclose their identities publicly.
