Country Weekly Report of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
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www.rsis.edu.sg 26 January 25 – 31– 01August February 2014 2015 Country Weekly Report of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research THAILAND Southern Insurgency On 26 January 2015, gunmen harassed two government outposts in Narathiwat’s Yingo and Bacho districts with gunfire, but did not cause any casualties. The first attack in Yingo district’s Kubae Bado village in tambon Lubo Baya occurred at about 1935hrs when two men on a motorcycle rode past and opened fire with an M16 rifle. The second outpost at Ban Yuelo in tambon Bare Nua of Bacho district was attacked at about 1950hrs, also by the pillion rider of a motorcycle.1 A bomb explosion took place in Muang district of Yala province on the morning of 27 January 2015. The bomb was planted in front of a sentry box of a village protection unit at Ban Thung Khok in tambon Tase and was remotely detonated when three policemen arrived on motorcycles, injuring them. A shooting had occurred the night before at the same area, when a civilian was shot in the leg by an unknown assailant about 500 metres from where the bomb was planted.2 Another bomb was detonated on 28 January 2015 at a roadside vending stall on Highway 42 in Pattani's Muang district. The explosive was detonated as a group of nine soldiers patrolled the road to provide protection for teachers, but did not cause any injuries.3 On 31 January 2015, suspected insurgents hid by the side of the Pattani-Hat Yai road and opened fire on police officers on patrol Pol Capt Kamnueng Suwanyuha and three subordinates — Pol L/C Navapon Kongsaman and defence volunteers Ibrohem Ramanset and Waehamarosol Waesae. Pol Capt Kamnueng was killed by shots to the head, whilst the others in the group sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.4 1 “Two Narathiwat outposts harassed”, Bangkok Post, 26 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/460792/two-narathiwat-outposts-harassed 2 “Bomb wounds three police in Yala”, Bangkok Post, 27 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/460796/bomb-wounds-three-police-in-yala 3 “Soldiers unhurt by Pattani blast”, Bangkok Post, 28 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/461154/soldiers-unhurt-by-pattani-blast 4 “Gunmen shoot dead senior cop in Pattani”, Bangkok Post, 31 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/462768/gunmen-shoot-dead-senior-cop-in-pattani Government Actions In a pre-dawn raid on 27 January 2015, government forces arrested three suspected Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militants in Tano Pute village in Bannang Sata district of Yala province. Matohe Silae, a ‘leading member’ of an RKK separatist group wanted under two warrants for security-related cases was arrested in the first house, and Saudi Ding-useng and Mahama Hamidong in two other houses in the village. Saudi was in possession of a .357 pistol when he was arrested.5 On 30 January 2015, Thai security forces closed in on a house in Kabang-Sabayoi, Benangdama Village, Mukim Kabang, Jaha district in Yala province to arrest suspected insurgent leader Saudi Setapo, 37. Suspects within the house opened fire on security forces, and Saudi was shot dead in the ensuing gunfight. Two more suspects, Arif Samae, 26 and Safan Salae, 26, from Mukim Kabang, were detained for questioning.6 Yala province has had security tightened following a reported intelligence tip-off that more attacks could occur in the February and March 2015. Police have increased checks on individuals entering the province and are searching for hidden explosives, as well as asking motorists to remove their masks and helmets before passing through checkpoints.7 A source has reported that peace talks between the government and insurgents will officially begin again in April 20158, while General Aksara Kerdphol, chief adviser to the army and southern peace negotiation leader, said that his negotiations team was currently gathering intelligence on how many violent insurgent groups existed, who commanded them, how they procure their weapons and how influential the groups are9. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- ocha has also commented on the proposed peace talks, saying that the talks will be separated into three levels – policymakers, a mobilization team and a local team, and that the first step must be to find out who exactly will join the talks.10 5 “Three RKK suspects arrested in Yala”, Bangkok Post, 27 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/460825/three-rkk-suspects-arrested-in-yala 6 “One insurgent gunned down, 2 others detained after shootout in Yala”, Malaysian Insider, 30 January 2015, http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/world/article/one-insurgent-gunned-down-2-others-detained-after- shootout-in-yala 7 “Intelligence tip-off prompts security alert in Yala”, Pattaya Mail, 30 January 2015, http://www.pattayamail.com/news/intelligence-tip-off-prompts-security-alert-in-yala-44670 8 “First South peace talks set for April”, Bangkok Post, 01 February 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/463261/first-south-peace-talks-set-for-april 9 “Insurgency groups being identified”, Bangkok Post, 30 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/462566/insurgency-groups-being-identified 10 “Prayut lays out peace plan for South”, Bangkok Post, 29 January 2015, http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/461295/prayut-lays-out-peace-plan-for-south .