A peaceful evening in Yala’s Bannang Sata district turned into a nightmare on Saturday when a powerful explosion shattered the night, killing a civilian and injuring multiple police officers.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., a bomb detonated outside a Mini BigC store in Moo 2 village, claiming the life of Tuan Ibrawheng Nimi and wounding seven policemen on patrol. The devastating blast left the scene in chaos as bomb disposal and forensic teams rushed to secure the area and search for clues behind the brutal attack.
But the violence didn’t stop there. Just hours later, Narathiwat province was rocked by another bombing early Sunday morning. This time, a pickup truck belonging to an airport firefighter was targeted near Narathiwat airport’s traffic control—mere moments before the highly anticipated arrival of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The explosion, which struck at 8:50 a.m., injured four security personnel and sent shockwaves through Thaksin’s delegation. Authorities quickly cleared the area of suspicious vehicles, ensuring the former leader’s safe landing amid heightened tensions.
Thaksin’s visit, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, marked his first return to the deep South in nearly two decades. While he received a warm welcome from locals in Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, the attacks underscored the lingering unrest that continues to haunt Thailand’s southern border provinces.
These coordinated bombings serve as a chilling reminder that peace in the region remains fragile. As communities press on with resilience, the specter of violence looms, threatening to reignite tensions in an already volatile landscape.
