KUALA LUMPUR – Explosions in Thailand’s Yala and Narathiwat provinces killed one civilian and injured at least 11 others, just hours before former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s visit, according to local media.
The first explosion occurred around 8.20pm local time on Saturday in Yala’s Bannang Sata district in front of a Mini Big C supermarket on Highway 10. It killed a civilian, believed to be Tuan Ibrawheng Nimi – while seven police officers and four civilians sustained injuries.
Authorities said the bomb was concealed inside a fire extinguisher packed with steel shrapnel, causing damage to multiple vehicles.
On Sunday morning, at around 8.50am, a second explosion targeted a firefighters’ pickup truck parked near the air traffic control tower at Narathiwat airport, about an hour before Thaksin’s arrival. The blast injured four airport security personnel.
Authorities moved all suspicious vehicles away from the area before Thaksin’s plane landed.
Thaksin, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, visited Narathiwat before travelling to Pattani and Yala. This marks his first visit to the deep South of the nation in nearly two decades.
He said he received a warm welcome.
Thaksin currently serves as an adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs Asean this year. His visit includes discussions on security issues, including peace efforts in Thailand’s southern provinces, which is expected to be a key topic in upcoming Asean meetings.
Authorities are investigating the incidents, and security measures in the region have been tightened. – February 24, 2025