Published on July 16, 2005

Saisawas Dejphong, a Yala Rama Hotel concierge:

“A short young man left a suitcase near the main hotel entrance just after the blackout and when the emergency lights started working. All staff were ordered to stay away from the suitcase, which exploded 15 minutes later while everyone was waiting for police to come. The blast struck the entire glass wall at the front reception lounge but caused no casualties. The power came back on three hours later, and the police never came.”

Umaphorn Rattanakijwijarn, a clerk at the Grand Hotel:

“The lights went out around 6pm, shortly before a group of young men on motorcycles raced around the corner throwing molotov cocktails at shophouses and homes.

“They were also scattering road spikes on main thoroughfares, causing small fires and heavy traffic congestion. Mobile phone signals went dead. I also heard brief gun battles between security officials and the insurgents.”

Thongchai Jiankulsawas, a resident of Yala municipal area:

“I heard two loud bangs after the blackout and black smoke billowed from a nearby warehouse. There were many car accidents because all the traffic lights failed. Everyone confined themselves to their homes after hearing police shouting for everyone to stay inside.”

Kasem Saleh, a Muang Yala district resident:

“I panicked during the attacks but when the situation returned to normal I was confident that the authorities could restore order. I really hope for success in the peace process in the long run. I was actually quite impressed with security officials’ quick response to get the situation under control.”

Samai Singsaktrakool, a Muang Yala district resident

“The attacks reached a scale I have never seen before and they took place in unlikely locations, including a shopping complex 400 metres from my home. The shock wave had little impact on local residents as time went by, judging from the number of vendors in a nearby market. There were not so many in the morning but it returned to normal in the afternoon.”

The Nation

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