Thailand has imposed an immediate curfew in the southern border province of Narathiwat after a coordinated series of bombings and arson attacks late on Saturday night that rocked multiple petrol stations and prompted a sharp security response.

The measure, announced by the Narathiwat Task Force and enforced by the Thai military, restricts residents from leaving their homes between nine p.m. and five a.m. as authorities work to restore public order and safeguard communities.

Late on Saturday, attackers targeted at least five petrol stations in Narathiwat with homemade explosive devices and arson, setting fire to convenience stores and causing petrol pumps to erupt in flames that damaged facilities and injured a police officer.

Similar incidents were reported in neighbouring Yala and Pattani provinces, with petrol stations and commercial properties hit in what officials described as coordinated acts of sabotage across the southern border region.

In response, the Thai military tightened security along border checkpoints with Malaysia and stepped up patrols to prevent further violence and ensure the curfew order is observed.

Residents and visitors have been urged to comply with the restrictions and remain indoors during curfew hours for their safety.

Malaysian authorities have also advised their citizens in the area to adhere to the curfew and defer travel to the affected provinces until conditions stabilise.

The attacks underscore persistent volatility in Thailand’s deep south, where insurgent violence has periodically flared in recent years.

While the immediate focus remains on quelling the recent surge of incidents and protecting civilians, security forces continue investigations to identify and apprehend those responsible for the unrest and to prevent further escalation of violence.