Malaysia urges citizens to postpone travel to southern Thailand
Malaysia has advised its citizens to delay travel plans to southern Thailand following recent incidents of bombings and gunfire in the border city of Sungai Kolok and Pattani, popular destinations for Malaysians.
Yesterday, March 9, according to Malaysian media, Police Inspector-General Razarudin Husain urged the public to reconsider visiting southern Thailand.
Concurrently, Malaysian security forces have increased patrols and implemented heightened measures along the border with Sungai Kolok district to prevent insurgents from crossing into Malaysia via the Golok River.
These advisories follow a series of bombings and shootings that occurred in Sungai Kolok municipality, Narathiwat province, on March 8. Initial reports mentioned three bombed locations in the city, but later information revealed a fourth attack, an explosion at a traffic island behind Maharat Stadium.
Fortunately, this explosion resulted in no injuries.
The attacks at the district office around 7.10pm resulted in two deaths and injuries to at least eight defence volunteers. Four civilians were also confirmed wounded by insurgents dressed in black. A security officer reported severe damage to the district office and nearby auditorium due to the bombings, with fires damaging multiple cars and motorcycles in the area.
Additional bombings occurred in Sungai Padi and Waeng districts of Narathiwat and in Sai Buri district, Pattani.
The vehicle used by the insurgents in the Sungai Kolok district office attack, an Isuzu pickup, was discovered abandoned on a dirt road in a palm oil plantation in Sungai Padi district. It was found by the Ban Kuwa village chief, who notified security forces.
Fourth Army commander Lieutenant General Pisal Noosang visited Sungai Kolok yesterday, directing soldiers and security personnel to bolster protection at state offices, public facilities, and other significant locations. This information was reported by the Public Relations Office of Narathiwat.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra extended condolences to the injured and the families of the deceased, promising swift and fair financial compensation, reported Bangkok Post.
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