Thailand has delayed the removal of martial law in its southern border provinces after two fatal incidents resulted in the deaths of two border patrol police officers and a local volunteer, as confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday.
“Recent violent events have forced us to review the proposal,” Phumtham noted, explaining that discussions intended for the previous weekend were deferred to allow security forces to manage the emergent threats.
“While the private sector believes the situation has normalized and that lifting martial law would improve business conditions, these incidents necessitate a reassessment,” he added.
Mr. Phumtham has engaged in discussions with key security officials including the Commander of the 4th Army Region, the Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), aiming to collaboratively address these security challenges.
On April 28, Yala province was the scene of two violent incidents starting with the overnight shooting of a local security volunteer in Bannang Sata district, followed by a bombing targeting a border patrol police unit, attributed to suspected BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional) militants.
This attack claimed the lives of two officers and left another critically injured.
The bombing occurred at 9:45 a.m. at the Sri Tha Nam Base in Thanto District, striking a Border Patrol Police vehicle and killing Police Senior Sergeant Major Isaret Intarapetch and Police Sergeant Monpitak Petnui, while Police Sergeant Panuwat Wetchapasan sustained serious injuries.
The three officers were returning from duty with Border Patrol Police Task Force 44.
Earlier that day in Bannang Sata District, security forces responded to an attack in front of a grocery store in Moo 1, Ban Tabing Tinggi, Taling Chan Sub-district.
Armed militants ambushed and killed Therawut Phuttarat, a 34-year-old local security volunteer, as he exited his car to enter the grocery store located 300 meters from a nearby operations base at 12:40 a.m. The assailants also set fire to his vehicle immediately after the attack.
The Defense Minister disclosed that the government has directed the Army Commander-in-Chief to adopt more assertive security measures, with all relevant units expected to present detailed action plans within a week.
He reassured that coordination between military and police operations in the region is seamless.
“From now on, everything will proceed according to the facts of the situation. I admit there is a lot of inconsistent information regarding the southern border problems, which will require further discussions, and I acknowledge that it is concerning,” he said.
He plans to initiate consultations with a facilitator designated by the Malaysian Prime Minister, a move agreed upon earlier by the Thai and Malaysian leaders.
“The peace dialogue process with separatist groups will only continue if violence could be controlled,” Phumtham said. “Thailand only wants to talk with the real leaders of the BRN group who can effectively stop violent actions on the ground.”
