Southern Thailand hit by wave of arson and bombings

A burnt oil tanker at a petrol station in Pattani province (Sumeth Panpetch/AP)

A wave of arson and bombing attacks has hit Thailand’s southernmost provinces, which for almost two decades have been the scene of an active Muslim separatist insurgency, officials said on Wednesday.

At least 17 attacks took place Tuesday night in Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala provinces, mostly at convenience stores and petrol stations, military spokesman Pramote Promin said.