A senator recently attributed the grenade attacks in Songkhla to the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) insurgent group. According to Sen Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, the attacks on the construction site of a giant Guanyin statue in Thepha district were aimed at undermining a policy to strengthen multiculturalism and promote economic development in the southern border region. He mentioned that the intention behind the explosions was to create divisions among people of different faiths who currently coexist peacefully in the region and hinder economic progress.
The senator emphasized that the Guanyin statue, once completed, would become a significant regional tourism attraction, drawing both local and foreign visitors and contributing to the economic growth of the local community. Additionally, he highlighted that the resistance against the Chana industrial development project in Songkhla was another effort to obstruct the government’s initiatives to boost the southern economy.
The attacks at the statue site resulted in injuries to two workers from northeastern provinces and a young girl, as well as damage to property. Leaflets in Thai and Burmese containing threats against individuals working at the site and elsewhere in the southern border provinces were discovered by the police. The construction of the 136-metre-high Guanyin statue, owned by TPI Polene Power Plc, began two years ago and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Following the initial attacks, two bombs exploded near the camp, targeting security officers investigating the incidents. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the subsequent blasts. The explosions caused alarm among students and teachers at the Demonstration School of Yala Rajabhat University, who were at a nearby scout camp and promptly returned to Yala for safety.
Authorities, led by Ekkachai Kaewrattana, the chief of Thepha district, are actively reviewing security camera footage to identify the perpetrators and interviewing witnesses to gather more information about the attacks. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of individuals working in the region and the need for enhanced measures to protect against such violent acts. It is essential for the authorities to swiftly address the situation and ensure the well-being of the local community while maintaining peace and stability in the region.
