Unprecedented Terrorist Bombings in Southern Thailand

By Zachary Abuza

Thailand has been wracked by four consecutive days of bombings in its troubled south. On 16 June, 50 bombs were detonated across the three Muslim-dominated southern provinces of Thailand (12 in Yala, 18 in Pattani and 20 in Narathiwat). Two days later, another 12 bombs were detonated and at least 10 more were defused. The bombs, for the most part have been small IEDs left in public places; several have been in the 5-10 kilogram range.

While insurgents have been stepping up their coordinated attacks, and the bombs were relatively small, coordinated attacks of this magnitude are unprecedented. Though the death toll has beens quite low, under 10 were killed in the bombings, they belie the technical sophistication and organzational capacity of the militants. This show of force is a stunning rebuke to the Thai security forces.

One of Sunday's 12 bombs was a 10kg roadside IED that was detonated as a police patrol passed by; four police and two civilians were wounded. A second roadside IED wounded six police, one seriously. Another attack, on a hotel in Yala, killed one, and wounded many others.

Several of the bombs were detonated by remote control, while several more were detonated by cellular phones. In November 2005, the Thai government blocked all unregistered prepaid mobile phones in an attempt to curb the spate of bombings. Insurgents have stepped up the theft of mobile phones and in some areas have used Malaysian SIM cards. They have been experimenting with other detonator technology, such as infrared devices.

In addition to the bombings, militants have continued their campaign of targetted assassinations. Two high profile Muslim politicians were killed over the weekend.

TrackBack