A 60-year-old man lost his foot after stepping on an explosive device at a rubber plantation in Yala's Krong Pinang district Monday morning. It was the fourth such attack in the province in five days.
Police were alerted to the blast in Ban Kuyae of tambon Sa-eh at about 7.30am. The victim was identified as Suthin Haewkhunthod.
He was rushed to Krong Pinang Hospital and later referred to Yala Regional Hospital.
A shallow blast crater was found close to a rubber tree with bloodstains. Pieces of wood, electric wires and shrapnel were discovered at the site.
Authorities said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive weighing 1-2kg hidden in a metal box which detonated when it was stepped on.
The explosion took place as Mr Suthin entered the plantation to tap rubber trees for latex. Officials said the device was likely planted by southern insurgents.
Last Thursday, 34-year-old Wipawan Plodkanthong lost her lower leg in Yaha district of Yala, when she stepped on a mine in a rubber plantation in tambon Tachee.
Another blast took place early on Saturday, when Chutipon Namwong, 47, was tapping a rubber tree in tambon Lam Phayao of Muang Yala district. He was badly wounded during the incident.
Recently, officers succeeded in defusing an explosive device in Ban Ae Lae village of Yala's Kabang district and another in Saba Yoi district of Songkhla.
Meanwhile, the Internal Security Operations Board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, on Monday approved the "Betong 61" plan to ensure Betong district of Yala is violence-free as it serves as the government's "triangle economy" city model.
The triangle comprises Nong Chik district of Pattani, Sungai Kolok of Narathiwat and Betong of Yala. Betong has become the first area which will be developed under the model as no serious cases of violence have been reported there for several years.
Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) spokesman Peerawat Sangthong said authorities plan to adopt Betong as a sustainable development city, where tourism will be promoted and basic infrastructure developed.
On March 20, Betong was removed from the list of severe emergency areas by the government after being strictly regulated under the 2005 Executive Decree for Public Administration in Emergency Situations for over a decade due to the insurgency.
This southern town is now the only district in Yala in which the decree has been replaced by the less draconian Internal Security Act.
The emergency decree gives widespread power to authorities by allowing them to detain any suspect for up to 30 days, while the security act caps detentions at seven days.
The security act gives Isoc the power of direct supervision, unlike the emergency decree which is overseen by a national committee headed by Gen Prawit.
Isoc is now responsible for integrating efforts and rushing other relevant agencies into working in accordance to the "Betong 61" plan.