Five schools in Thung Yang Daeng and another in Mayo district of Pattani province were damaged after being torched early Sunday morning, reports said.
Six schools in Pattani were damaged after being torched early Sunday morning. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)
In Thung Yang Daeng district, the arson attacks reportedly took place at 2.30am at Ban Nam Dam School in tambon Nam Dam, Ban Ban Paku School in tambon Paku, Ban Khao Din School in tambon Paku, Ban Manang Yong School in tambon Paku in tambon Paku, and Ban Tuebo School in tambon Phithen.
In Mayo district, Ban Kaso School in tambon Kaso was set on fire at about 5am amid heavy rain.
The six schools were damaged in the attacks, but details were not yet available.
Meanwhile, in Nong Chik district of Pattani province, Isma-ae Toyong, 28, a villlager of Village No.6 in tambon Sateng, was killed in a gun attack on Saturday night.
While Isma-ae, accompanied by two friends, was driving in a pickup truck on Highway 43 in tambon Bang Khao, a man following in a car opened fire at him.
Sama-ae was hit. He was rushed to Nong Chik hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police believed the attack was motivated by personal conflict.
Col Winthai Suwari, the army spokesman, said authorities believed the arson attacks on the six schools in Thung Yang Daeng and Mayo districts were probably a retaliatory action because government forces had recently arrested several key militant leaders and taken the offensive by laying siege to suspected targets and seizing a large quantity of equipment for use in insurgency activities.
Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, the army chief, was concerned about the incidents. He ordered Lt Gen Prakan Cholayuth, the 4th Army commander, to quickly examine the damage to the schools, take remedial action for those affected and bring the culprits to justice.
Col Winthai said the army chief would hold a teleconference meeting on Monday with units in the troubled area to follow up the situation.