SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: MORE BOMBS IN NARATHIWAT

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006904

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, S/CT
PACOM FOR FPA (HUSO)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PTER PREL TH
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN VIOLENCE: MORE BOMBS IN NARATHIWAT

REF: A. BANGKOK 6853

B. BANGKOK 6764


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 2 another series of bombs were
set off in the far southern province of Narathiwat,
temporarily knocking out power in the city. The attacks
follow the series of raids on October 26 and the October 27
bombing of a rail-line in Narathiwat (reftels). On November
3 a series of hoax bombs in Songkhla province was the impetus
for the extension of Martial Law in that province. These
latest coordinated attacks -- while causing minimal
causalities -- reinforce the perception (true or false) that
the insurgents can strike with impunity in certain areas of
the deep South without interference from Thai security
forces. END SUMMARY


2. (SBU) On November 2, between 1900-2030, a series of
bombs were set off at seven separate locations in the far
southern province of Narathiwat. Local police and Ministry
of Interior sources reported to emboffs that five improvised
explosive devices knocked down electrical poles and
transformers in four separate locations, causing a blackout
in four districts of the city. During this same period a gas
storage facility was firebombed and another bomb exploded
near the Tak Bai Customs house. Security officials were able
to defuse a bomb set in front of a Sino-Thai owned restaurant
and a pair of bombs set at a separate gas storage.
Narathiwat Governor Pracha Therat confirmed that one
suspected militant was apparently killed by one of the
blasts.


3. (SBU) Separately, on November 3, security forces
responded to seven fake bombs which were planted at various
locations in the Chana, The Pha, and Saba Yoi districts of
Songkhla province. In response, 4th Army area commander Lt.
Gen. Khwanchat Klahan added Chana and The Pha to those
districts in Songkhla under Marshal Law. (NOTE: The Saba Yoi,
Sadao, and Nathawi districts of Songkhla were already under
Martial Law. The Emergency Decree, which replaced Martial Law
in the three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala and
Pattani in July 2005, does not apply to Songkhla province.
END NOTE) The November 2 and 3 incidents come immediately on
the heels of the series of weapons raids across the far South
on October 26 and the bombing of a rail-line in Narathiwat on
October 27.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: These latest series of events -- which
caused few, in any, casualties -- are part of a steady
drumbeat of violence seen in the South since January 2004.
The incidents reinforce the public image of a Thai government
unable to deal with the situation while encouraging the
belief -- true or not -- that the militants can strike with
impunity in certain parts of the far South. END COMMENT
BOYCE