Terror-%26#39; 96 Separatist Group with White Affiliation Spreads Panic in the South
In a concerning development, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), an active insurgent group in southern Thailand, has been linked to a series of bomb threats in the tourist provinces of Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi. Eleven explosive devices were discovered in these areas, with the intent behind planting the devices appearing to be to create panic and disrupt tourism rather than cause mass casualties.
These bomb threats mark a strategic expansion of BRN’s activities beyond its traditional strongholds in the deep southern provinces bordering Malaysia. Historically, Thailand's southern insurgency groups like the BRN have concentrated on provinces such as Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, which are Muslim-majority areas. The shift in operational focus to popular tourist destinations could be a tactic to increase pressure on the Thai government by undermining the tourism-driven economy in these regions.
Intelligence from all major agencies, including the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4, confirmed this was an insurgency operation meant to expand the battlefield and pressure the government. The operations were carried out by so-called "white faces", new recruits with no criminal or intelligence record, indicating a change in the group's tactics.
The distinction between "white faces" and "black faces" within the BRN alludes to different operational or ideological wings within such insurgent movements. While specific detailed definitions of these terms in BRN’s internal structure are not explicitly provided, "white faces" could indicate those who operate in public or political roles with less direct violence, whereas "black faces" might represent the militant or covert operatives involved in armed attacks or sabotage.
The suspects confessed they were acting under orders from a BRN leader based in a neighbouring country. The latest attacks are attributed to a new tactic by the BRN, a major separatist group in the far South. The younger, more radical faction of the BRN is suspected of orchestrating the attacks, distinguishing them from the older generation of BRN leaders who have shown openness to peace talks.
Tensions between old and new BRN factions persist, with internal assassinations further complicating the situation. The decision to strike outside the traditional insurgency zone was likely driven by increased security in the southern provinces, which has thwarted several plots in recent months.
Authorities believe there are no remaining devices, thanks to intensive surveillance, review of CCTV footage, and searches of suspect hideouts. The Australian government, among others, has advised heightened caution for travelers due to the ongoing risk of terrorism.
This information reflects ongoing security concerns in Thailand, with foreign governments urging travelers to exercise caution. The BRN's strategic expansion of its activities beyond its traditional strongholds serves as a reminder of the dynamic and evolving nature of the insurgency in southern Thailand.
- The ongoing bomb threats in tourist provinces like Phuket, Phangnga, and Krabi suggest a tactical shift in BRN's activities, as they seek to pressure the Thai government by targeting the tourism-driven economy, thus expanding the battlefield beyond their traditional strongholds in Muslim-majority areas.
- The strategic maneuvers of the BRN, evident in their recent bomb threats and expansion of operational focus to popular tourist destinations, indicate a complex internal structure where "white faces" might be involved in political or public roles, while the more radical "black faces" orchestrate armed attacks or sabotage operations, as the younger generation distances itself from the older, more open-to-peace talks leaders.
