The Latest Breaking News from Yala

The recent bombing and arson attacks at 17 locations in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat may have been motivated by the Thai peace negotiators' refusal to let leading figures in the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement set foot in Thailand and meet residents, according to an analyst.

Insurgents launched coordinated bomb and arson attacks on convenience stores and petrol stations at 17 places in three southern border provinces, causing considerable damage.

YALA: An assistant chairman of a tambon administration organisation (TAO), who was also a construction contractor, was shot dead in a gun attack in Muang district of this southern border province on Saturday afternoon, police said.

YALA: An army sergeant-major was shot dead and a volunteer ranger wounded by an army officer during a quarrel at a restaurant in Muang district early on Wednesday morning, police said.

Two policemen were killed and two others wounded when their vehicle was ambushed on a road in Bannang Sata district of Yala province, in the far South, on Wednesday morning.

Tourism businesses in Yala's Betong district are proposing discounts on hotel accommodation and food for travellers using their brand new airport, after the Nok Air service quickly died from lack of interest last week.

The new airport at Betong in Yala province was formally opened to commercial services on Monday by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who arrived from Bangkok on the inaugural flight.

Betong airport in Yala officially opens on Monday, raising hope it will revitalise tourism and the economy in the country's southernmost district.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be aboard the first flight into the new airport at Betong in southern Yala province when it opens on Monday, according to the government spokesman.