BANGKOK, Thailand — Authorities have declared a curfew in Narathiwat province following a series of violent attacks that have raised security concerns in the region. The military announced the measure on Sunday as part of efforts to enhance public safety in the wake of several explosive incidents.
According to military officials, the curfew prohibits residents from leaving their homes between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. The initiative also includes increased security at border checkpoints along the Thailand-Malaysia border. The move comes after multiple petrol stations were targeted late Saturday night, resulting in one police officer sustaining injuries.
Reports indicate that assailants used incendiary devices at several petrol stations, setting fires to convenience stores and detonating homemade explosives at fuel pumps. The attacks led to significant damage and chaos at the affected locations, particularly in Narathiwat, where five petrol stations were among the sites attacked.
Local authorities are treating these incidents with urgency, analyzing the potential motives behind the violence. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, they are being investigated amid ongoing tensions in Thailand’s southern regions, which have seen intermittent violence for years due to separatist movements and other conflicts.
In light of these incidents, residents are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to the curfew, emphasizing the need for cooperation with security measures being put in place. Political and community leaders are calling for unity and calm in response to the unsettling atmosphere that the attacks have created.
The situation remains fluid, with the military promising to deploy additional personnel to secure the area. More updates are expected as investigations continue into the motives behind the attacks and as the security response unfolds in the coming days.