Two local administrative offices in Nong Chik district of Pattani were set on fire late Monday night, police said.
Firefigthers battle the flames that gutted tambon administration organisation premises in Nong Chik district of Pattani. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)
At the Pulopuyo Tambon Administrative Office firefighters took almost two hours to bring the blaze under control. The first floor of the two-storey building, a truck used for cabling and one of the fire trucks were burned out.
Pol Col Manit Yimsai, chief of Nong Chik police, said the arsonists climbed over the wall of the office and set fire to the premises.
Shortly after, the premises of the nearby Don Rak TAO in the same district were torched. The fire was starting to spread to the second floor of the building by the time firefighters arrived.
Police said the firebugs forced open the door of the office, then spread petrol on the floor and set it alight.
Three office rooms on the first floor of the Don RaK TAO office and equipment were completely ruined. Three vehicles, including a cabling truck, a pickup truck and a motorcycle parked nearby were also damaged.
Car tyres were also set on fire on Monday night on Road No 43 along the Pattani-Hat Yai route in Nong Chik district.
Police were investigating.