Incident Summary:

04/05/2013: A remote-controlled explosive device hit the truck carrying the deputy governor of Yala province and the Yala security secretary in Kasot area, Yala province, Thailand. Both people died in the blast and their driver was severely wounded. No group claimed responsibility for the incident; however, officials suspected that a group of militants led by Makata Alimamah perpetrated the attack.

GTD ID:
201304050011

When:
2013-04-05

Country:
Thailand

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Yala

City:
Kasot

Location Details:
City is located in Bannang Sata district

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Assassination
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Government (General)
Name of Entity Government of Yala
Specific Description Deputy Governor: Issara Thongthawat
Nationality of Target Thailand
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Other Explosive Type
Weapon Details
A 20 kg bomb planted under the road which consisted of explosive components placed in a gas cylinder was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) State Actors
Additional Information There is doubt that this incident meets terrorism related-criteria. Authorities suspected that the attack on the deputy governor and security secretary may have been carried out by state officials. Officials suspected a militant group led by Makata Alimamah perpetrated the attack.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Separatists (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 2 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 2
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Thai provincial deputy governor, colleague killed in blast," Indian Express, April 5, 2013.
"Thailand: Deputy governor killed," Bangkok Post Online, April 5, 2013.
"Thailand: NSC: Peace talks not derailed by Yala officials' deaths," Bangkok Post Online, April 5, 2013.