Citizens band together after Yala attack

SPECIAL REPORTS: The motorcycle bomb at Pimolchai fresh market that killed three has triggered a united front of solidarity and condemnation, writes Maluding Deeto

Amyriad of violent incidents in the far South have made news headlines over the past decade. Yet, the latest motorcycle blast at the Pimolchai fresh market in Yala last Monday has prompted villagers to reprimand the perpetrators for their ruthless attack which killed three people and wounded 34 others, all civilians.

Following the blast, over 1,000 Buddhist and Islamic villagers, including vendors, united at the market to march in protest against the attack, saying the culprits were heretics who had harmed innocent people for their own interests.

The demonstration, also joined by professors and students from various local educational institutes, aimed to deliver moral support to villagers and vendors at the market as well as urge state agencies to intensify efforts to roll out preventive measures against violent incidents in the region.

They observed a moment of silence and placed white roses in the market in tribute to those who died in the attack. The group also gave moral support to vendors by giving the roses to them as well.

Wanit Aksornpakdee, president of the Buddhist group in Yala who led the activity, called on those behind the bombing to stop destroying the lives of innocent people.

During the march, demonstrators shouted: “We have to drive the scoundrels out from our land [Thailand].”

The blast occurred at 6am last Monday during a busy period at the fresh market in Yala municipality. Two people died at the scene while another was later declared dead in hospital.

A young man was seen parking a motorcycle near a pork stall before rushing away on foot. Minutes later, as a female stall owner was about to move the motorcycle, the bomb went off. She was killed by the blast, as was a male customer.

A total of 35 people were injured and rushed to Yala Hospital where one later died. Of the others who were caught in the blast, seven were listed as seriously injured.

Security forces found chopped steel rods and electronic parts near t he wrecked motorcycle and estimated the bomb weighed about 20 kilogrammes. Several stalls and motorcycles were also damaged by the explosion.

Kifli Marapae, a chicken meat vendor at the market, voiced his opposition to the recent attack, saying the place was packed with civilians.

Representing other vendors, he said they lived hand to mouth and their businesses had been severely affected by the motorcycle bomb which resulted in dwindling customers as well as fears for their own safety.

They used to take 10,000 baht in sales daily, but since the incident 2,000 baht was generally considered a good day, he said.

Wichai Jaema, one of those injured in the bombing, said he hoped this was the last time that an incident such as this would take place in the deep South, adding the violence made it difficult for villagers to live in their hometowns.

Shortly after the march, villagers and vendors also attended a meeting on preventive measures against insurgency activities with state authorities.

Tea vendor Wutthiprayoon Srikhongthai said authorities have tried to address violence in the restive southern provinces for several years but their methods did not work as they did not focus on the right points.

Severe legal action should be brought against those who orchestrated the attack, and car parking should be banned in the market area, he said.

Pramote Phrom-in, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, said a probe has made substantial progress which could lead to the arrest of more suspects behind the attack.

Authorities were now in the process of compiling evidence and examining CCTV footage from cameras near the scene.

Col Pramote said the blast occurred in the middle of the market where it was difficult for authorities to search villagers who were there shopping during a busy time in the morning.

The perpetrators knowingly exploited this situation to commit the crime.

Even though the suspects used violence against civilians with the aim of discrediting the government, authorities will not retaliate inhumanely.

Instead, legal action will be taken against them in compliance with the law, Col Pramote asserted.

Speaking about the i nvestigation, Krissada Kaewchandee, chief of the Yala Provincial Police, said the probe will be handled by three agencies: the provincial police, the Provincial Police Region 9 overseeing the southern provinces, and Muang Yala police station.

Pol Maj Gen Krissada said the investigation indicated that those behind the recent blast were also responsible for a bomb which was found hidden at the base of a district protection team in Muang district in the same province on Nov 8, last year.

As for two suspects now in police custody, investigators believe they were involved in orchestrating the blast last week.

Police will also examine their mobile phone call logs, he added.