Bangkok (VNA) - Security conditions in Thailand's southernmost provinces remain volatile after two Malaysian tourists were injured in a roadside bomb attack in Narathiwat province, just days after coordinated assaults targeting petrol stations and infrastructure across the region.
According to Thai police, the explosion occurred around midday on June 29 near the Sapom intersection in Tak Bai district, Narathiwat province. The explosive device had been planted beside a roadside drainage culvert and detonated as the two Malaysian tourists passed by.
Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Security forces, police, bomb disposal units and forensic teams immediately sealed off the area, collected evidence and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. Provincial authorities also sent representatives to visit and assist the injured tourists.
The incident came just hours after armed groups carried out coordinated attacks on petrol stations across Thailand's deep South. Thai media reported that on the night of June 28, around six assailants travelling on two motorcycles simultaneously targeted three PT petrol stations in Yala and Pattani provinces.
The blasts caused extensive damage to the three stations and injured one civilian. Security authorities believe the attacks were carefully planned and synchronised across multiple locations to spread fear and undermine public confidence in the security situation.
A day earlier, on June 27, armed assailants set fire to several trucks along the Yala–Betong highway, felled trees to block roads and placed suspected explosive devices to disrupt traffic and hinder security operations. On the same day, in Yarang district of Pattani province, a member of the Volunteer Defence Corps was ambushed and shot dead while returning home, highlighting the varied tactics employed in attacks across the southern border region.
Following the series of incidents, the Thai military has reinforced deployments in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces, established additional checkpoints, intensified patrols along key transport routes and around critical infrastructure, and stepped up efforts to apprehend those behind the attacks.
For many years, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala have remained security hotspots due to the activities of armed separatist groups./.
Thailand accelerates rail links with Malaysia
The Hat Yai–Padang Besar line is seen as particularly strategic, as it forms part of the rail corridor linking Thailand to Malaysia. Alongside this, Thai authorities are working with their Malaysian counterparts to revive the historic Sungai Kolok–Rantau Panjang railway, which has been out of service for more than 20 years.
