Three monks and two defence volunteers were slightly injured this morning (Friday) when a roadside improvised explosive device was detonated by southern insurgents as the monks were receiving alms from members of the Buddhist community in Rueso district of Thailand’s restive southern province of Narathiwat.

The three monks were in a passenger van, accompanied by a small defence volunteer unit, as they made their regular rounds in various villages.

As the van was approaching Soi Charoenrat 2 in Rueso sub-district on Road 4060, a device was detonated, damaging the vehicle. Three monks and a defence volunteer suffered chain pain from the force of the blast, while another volunteer was wounded by shrapnel. All were rushed to the Rueso district hospital for treatment.

Police said that there was also an explosion near this location in December 2021, but there were no casualties, adding that the attack was aimed at officers providing protection to monks.