Alleged Muslim separatist insurgents detonated a bomb in southern Thailand outside a school that killed a man, his 4-year-old daughter, rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Sept. 7.
On the morning of Sept. 6 apparent insurgents detonated a 20-kilogram bomb hidden in a motorcycle in front of Taba School in Tak Bai district in Narathiwat province, said the rights group in a press release. The blast occurred as parents were dropping off their children at the school.
Mayeng Wobah and his daughter, Mitra Wobah, died instantly.
The blast also wounded at least 10 civilians, including teachers, parents, and police officers directing traffic.
"Calling this a war crime does not fully convey the harm done to the victims or the far-reaching impact such attacks have on children in the region," said Brad Adams, Asia director for HRW.
A peace dialogue between the Thai government and separatist groups under the umbrella of Majlis Syura Patani (Mara Patani) resumed on Sept. 2. However, insurgents affiliated with Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Coordinate (BRN-Coordinate) have not ceased attacks on civilians.
HRW's research has found that since the escalation of armed insurgency in January 2004, the BRN-Coordinate has targeted schools, teachers and other education personnel, which they consider symbolic of the Thai Buddhist state's control of ethnic Malay Muslim territory.
