Thailand's military has imposed an immediate curfew in the southern province of Narathiwat following a coordinated wave of bomb and arson attacks on petrol stations across three border provinces early Sunday morning. The attacks, which targeted 11 PTT petrol stations in Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, injured four people including a police officer and marked one of the most significant security incidents in the troubled region in recent months.
Major General Yod-arwut Puengpakdee, commander of the Narathiwat Task Force, invoked powers under the Martial Law Act to announce the curfew, which prohibits residents from leaving their homes between 9 PM and 5 AM. The restriction on movement will remain in place until further notice, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis only after residents seek permission from military, police, or provincial administration officials.
The coordinated attacks occurred at approximately 1 AM on Sunday, striking five PTT petrol stations in Narathiwat, four in Yala, and two in Pattani simultaneously. Among the injured was a police officer from Rangae Police Station in Narathiwat, who was wounded by shrapnel while inspecting the scene at the Tanyongmas petrol station. Three members of the public were also injured in the explosions, though authorities confirmed there were no fatalities.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that he had been briefed on the situation and confirmed the absence of any deaths. According to the Prime Minister, security agencies assessed that the incidents were intended to send a signal linked to the upcoming general election rather than being acts of terrorism aimed at causing mass casualties. However, this assessment has not been independently verified, and local media have speculated that the attacks may be connected to the ongoing separatist conflict in the region.
The Thai military announced a series of additional security measures alongside the curfew, including tightened controls at border checkpoints between Thailand and Malaysia. These enhanced security protocols reflect concerns that perpetrators may attempt to flee across the international border. The military emphasized that it would take all necessary steps to safeguard public order and security in the affected areas.
Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani have experienced decades of separatist violence, with ethnic Malay Muslims seeking greater autonomy from the Buddhist-majority Thai state. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives since it intensified in 2004, and periodic attacks on infrastructure and security forces remain common despite ongoing peace negotiations between the government and insurgent groups.
The timing of the attacks, just ahead of Thailand's general election, has raised concerns about potential attempts to influence the political process or demonstrate the insurgents' continued operational capability. Security analysts noted that targeting petrol stations represents a shift in tactics, as such attacks disrupt daily life and economic activity while avoiding direct confrontation with military forces.
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