Deadly insurgent attacks kill novice Monk, exposing deepening human rights crisis in Southern Thailand
- Human Rights Research Center
- 10 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan
April 29, 2025
HRRC strongly condemns the brutal attacks on Buddhist novices and Muslim children in southern Thailand, which flagrantly violate international humanitarian law. Targeting civilians, especially children, is an abhorrent crime that must end immediately.
![Authorities stationed at Thailand's southern border [Image source: TNA]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_35009f212bd444a7bf1f570ddd666561~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_28,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_35009f212bd444a7bf1f570ddd666561~mv2.png)
An insurgent attack on a pickup truck, which was transporting monks for alms collecting in Songkhla province's Sabayoi district, killed a 16-year-old novice monk, Pongkorn Chumapan, and critically injured a 12-year-old novice, Pokanit Morasin. The vehicle was driven by Pongkorn's father, Pol Lt Wattana Chumapan, who fired at the assailants before transporting the injured to the hospital. Pongkorn was declared dead upon arrival.
The attack is pinned on the National Revolutionary Front (BRN), a Malay Muslim separatist organization that sees Buddhism as a symbol of Thai governmental tyranny. This particular incident is part of a larger trend of growing violence in Thailand's Deep South, where over 7,000 people have died since 2004, including many civilians and children.
In another incident that occurred two days prior, a motorbike bomb exploded outside a police station in Narathiwat province, injuring at least seven Muslim youngsters aged seven to fifteen on their way to Quranic studies. Public outrage has grown, with prominent local Muslim leaders criticizing the attacks as damaging the separatist cause.
Authorities are actively searching for three individuals related to the monk attack, as officials admit a substantial rise in violence against Buddhist communities. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized the need to resolve such incidents, while peace activists have cautioned that the breakdown of peace talks is encouraging additional violence.
The attacks on religious and civilian populations violate international humanitarian law, which protects children and people during conflict. Human rights organizations and regional mediators, like as Malaysia, are encouraged to demand an immediate end to assaults on civilians and responsibility for all parties' transgressions.
Glossary
Abhorrent crime: A crime that is extremely hateful, disgusting, and morally wrong.
Assailants: People who violently attack others.
Assaults: Violent physical attacks.
Flagrantly: In a very obvious and shocking way that shows no respect for laws or morals.
Insurgents: Rebels fighting against an established government authority.
Mediators: A neutral third-party individuals who facilitate negotiations and resolve conflicts between two or more parties.
Monk: A religious man who lives a life devoted to spiritual work, often away from society.
Novice: someone new to a field, activity, or skill, with little experience.
Outrage: A strong feeling of shock and anger.
Quranic Studies: The study of the Quran, the holy book of Islam.
Separatist Organization: A separatist organization advocates for independence or separation of a region or group from a larger entity, often a country.
Substantial: Large in amount, value, or importance.
Transgressions: Acts that go against a law, rule, or moral principle; offenses.
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