Three of Thailand's southernmost provinces were hit by coordinated arson and bombing attacks on Friday, killing one security officer. The country's top security agency and the Thai army said they suspect that Muslim rebel group, the Barisan Revolusi National independence movement, was behind the attacks, despite efforts by Thai authorities to get it to agree to a halt to violence during the month of Ramadan. Last week, in two separate incidents, nine people -- including teachers and state employees -- were killed in bombings and drive-by shootings. During the past two days alone, there were 13 attacks that killed 3 soldiers and wounded 20 other people.
In Friday's incidents, 13 attacks, including arson and bombings, occured in the provinces of Yala, Pattani and Songkla. In addition to the security officer killed, four people were wounded.
The first attack was around 3 a.m. Friday in Yala province when
In Pattani province, fires were set at a motorcycle distribution company, a convenience store next to a police station and a clothing store. Two people were wounded from the fires and about 60 motorcycles were damaged. The attacks also spilled over to nearby Songkla province, where a furniture warehouse and some village homes were burned.