Pitak Siam (Protect Siam) Group, led by retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, held second anti-govt rally 24 Nov. Govt deployed 20,000 security forces, imposed Internal Security Act (ISA) in 3 Bangkok districts; 82 injured in clashes between protesters and police. Boonlert called off 2nd day of protests, announced end of his involvement in Pitak Siam. Govt no-confidence debate took place 25-27 Nov; PM Yingluck Shinawatra and 3 other ministers survived no-confidence vote 28 Nov. During 18 Nov visit,U.S. president Obama praised country’s democratic development. U.S. Sec Defence Panetta signed defence cooperation agreement with Thai counterpart in Bangkok 15 Nov. Violence in south continued. In Narathiwat 3 people killed, dozens injured in attack on train 18 Nov in Ruesoh district; 2 vehicle bombs exploded 3 Nov in Ruesoh district, 3 killed; 5 killed in series of shootings. In Pattani former sub-district chief killed 3 Nov in Mayo district; several people killed in series of shootings. Teachers late Nov shut down over 300 schools to protest against killing of education workers by militants. Bomb explosion 22 Nov injured 2 soldiers in Khok Po district. In Yala province imam shot dead 14 Nov in Yaha district; 1 killed after bomb exploded 17 Nov in Muang district; 3 soldiers injured after militants attacked military base in Bannang Sata district. 1 militant killed 4 Nov in clash with security forces in Songkhla. Govt 30 Nov extended enforcement of ISA by a year in several districts of Songkhla and Pattani.

Violence in south intensified. In Pattani, several attacks purportedly in retaliation for late Sept killing of Muslim couple included shootings on 6, 8, 9 Oct; 15 dead, 4 injured. 16 injured in grenade attack 27 Oct; 5 police injured by bomb explosion 30 Oct. Many shops refused to open Fridays in response to insurgent threats. In Narathiwat, 3 bombs exploded in Tak Bai 20 Oct, and insurgents fired on police station and detachment of troops; 1 killed, 8 injured. 21 Oct bomb blasts injured 8 soldiers, killed 1. In Yala, 3 injured in bomb blast 6 Oct; 9 insurgents surrendered to authorities 2 Oct. New Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan elected leader of ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) after Deputy PM Yongyut Wichaidit resigned late Sept. King Bhumibol Adulyadej 28 Oct endorsed cabinet reshuffle, strengthening PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s position in advance of anticipated censure motion. 10,000 supporters of pro-monarchy Pitak Siam (Protect Siam) group demonstrated against govt 28 Oct, promised further rallies.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Pillay urged govt to act on recommendations from 17 Sept Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand report on 2010 political violence; report called for restraint in application of lèse-majesté law, public discussions on constitutional reform. Govt 11 Sept extended emergency law in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat provinces until 19 Dec; PM Yingluck 18 Sept chaired meeting on southern insurgency. In Pattani 6 people killed, more than 40 injured in car bomb explosion 21 Sept. In Narathiwat, authorities 4 Sept seized land, Islamic school in Muang district over alleged use for insurgency; 93 separatist rebels agreed to surrender at 11 Sept meeting with 4th Army Region commander Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat. In Yala 15 Sept ambush in Muang district killed 4, including 3 paramilitary rangers; 2 civilians killed 17 Sept in Raman district. Yellow-shirt and red-shirt supporters clashed in Bangkok 25 Sept after police summoned for questioning a teacher who publicly accused key red-shirt supporter Darunee Kritbunyalai of lèse-majesté.

Militant violence across south continued. Attacks during Aug injured 22, killed 4, in several Pattani districts. In Narathiwat, attacks 14, 21, 29 Aug killed 4, injured 5 in Sungai Padi, Rangae, Cho Airong districts. Shootings during Aug killed 4, injured 3 in several Yala districts; police 24 Aug killed 2 militants. 102 separatist incidents struck Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla provinces 31 Aug. Military 9 Aug deployed air force to support anti-insurgency ground operations; DPM General (ret) Yuthasak 25 Aug announced deployment of 1,500 additional border-patrol police. Govt mid-month revealed peace talks with Muslim insurgents in south following policy reversal. Democrat Party 15 Aug petitioned govt to recognise ICC jurisdiction to enable inquiry into bloodshed during war on drugs, 18 Aug said would write to U.S. Congress regarding former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s alleged role in 2010 protest violence.

Constitutional Court 13 July dismissed opposition case alleging govt’s proposal to redraft constitution an attempt to overthrow monarchy. Red shirt demonstrators in Chiang Mai 20 July stoned opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s car. In compliance with 2011 ICJ ruling, Thailand, Cambodia 18 July withdrew troops from disputed Preah Vihear temple, soldiers replaced with police. King Bhumibol Adulyadej 9 July pardoned U.S. citizen jailed in Dec 2011 for 2.5 years for lese majesté; yellow shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul 10 July appeared in court on lese majesté charges for quoting red shirt speech in 2008; trial commenced 17 July of man arrested March 2011 for selling copies of documentary questioning future of monarchy. PM Yingluck Shinawatra 31 July met with security agencies to address escalating militant violence across south: in Yala attacks throughout month killed 5 soldiers, 3 village officials in Raman, Yaha districts; police 11 July killed 1 militant in Muang district; 2 villagers killed 26 July in Bannang Satar district. In Narathiwat: 5 security officers, 2 villagers, 2 militants killed in violence throughout month in Joh I Rong, Rangae, Rueso, Sungai Kolok, Cho Airong districts. In Pattani: 1 defence volunteer shot dead 19 July in Khok Pho district; 4 soldiers killed 28 July in Mayo district.

Activists 1 June blockaded parliament in ongoing protest over reconciliation Bills; debate over legislation later suspended. In widely criticised decision, Constitutional Court 1 June accepted petition to review constitutional amendments, petition claimed amendments did not sufficiently safeguard role of monarchy; Parliament acceded to Court injunction. Govt 19 June extended emergency law in southern provinces for further 3 months as violence continued; gunmen 6 June killed 2 defence volunteers, wounded 6 in Narathiwat; IED 7 June wounded 1 soldier in Yala; insurgents 10 June attacked police checkpoint in Pattani wounding 2 police, 4 civilians; IED attack 13 June wounded 2 Rangers, 2 defence volunteers in Chanae District; 3 soldiers killed, 6 wounded 16 June in suspected Muslim separatist attack in Yala; 2 govt officials 19 June shot dead in Narathiwat; 1 soldier, 1 villager wounded 21 June in Narathiwat bombing.

Scuffles in parliament, “yellow shirt” protests followed 29 May introduction of reconciliation bills, which include amnesty for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Large-scale peaceful rallies 19 May marked 2nd anniversary of 2010 deadly protests; Department of Special Investigations 17 May said “state authorities” responsible for at least 25 deaths during 2010 crackdown; first of 18 inquests into state involvement in deaths began 21 May. 8 May death of man jailed Nov 2011 for 20 years for insulting king in text messages, 30 May conviction of news website manager for lese majesté resulted in “red shirt” protests, petitions to govt for law reform. 5-year ban given in 2007 to 111 politicians from Thai Rak Thai Party expired 30 May, several expected to be appointed to cabinet in upcoming reshuffle. Constitutional Court 18 May declared July 2011 election of “red shirt” leader Jatuporn Prompan invalid, stripped him of parliamentary seat. Deputy PM Yuthasak Sasiprapa 15 May announced initiative to better integrate govt agencies’ efforts to address southern violence; Organisation of the Islamic Conference delegation visited 7-13 May to assess situation in south, noted improved situation, encouraged dialogue; attacks continued in Pattani including 1 May bombing of military convoy killing 3, 3 May attack killing 4 local officials, 13 May insurgent ambush injuring 16 paramilitary rangers, 28 May bombing killing 3 civil defence volunteers.

Month saw deadly series of attacks in southern provinces blamed on militant separatists. In response to 31 March Yala bombings, govt 3 April pledged new safety zones, checkpoints for Songkhla, Yala provinces; victims to receive compensation; 3 bombing suspects arrested 4-5 April, believed to be members of extremist separatist group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Coordinate. PM Yingluck Shinawatra reiterated policy of no negotiation with southern militants, announced new committee to handle southern security issues. Thailand, Cambodia pledged to remove land mines at disputed Preah Vihear temple during 3-5 April summit, but agreed troops would remain. Ruling party Pheu Thai 20 April announced public hearings for reconciliation, amnesty plans, contrary to previous unilateral approach; change may affect former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s plans to return to Thailand. Govt and opposition MPs, including opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, 20 April cleared of constitutional violations, corruption relating to 2011 floods.

Escalation in southern insurgency with series of 4 car, motorcycle bombings 31 March: 14 killed, 340 injured in Yala, Hat Yai and Mae Lan; militant separatists suspected. Roadside bombings 7, 21 March killed 5 soldiers, injured 2 soldiers and 1 civilian in Narathiwat province; 2 soldiers killed, 12 wounded 9 March when approx 50 gunmen attacked Special Forces military base in Narathiwat. Militants 9 March attacked Yala province military checkpoint, killed 2 soldiers. Trial of Lebanese terrorist suspect arrested 12 Jan began mid-March. Prosecutor 12 March announced inquests into 16 deaths during govt crackdown on 2012 anti-govt “Red Shirt” demonstrations. Courts of Justice 25 March denied discussing bail release for jailed “Red Shirts” following claim by former PM Shinawatra.

PM Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party 9 Feb submitted controversial plan to rewrite 2006 post-coup constitution, provoking fears of renewed turmoil. Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission agreed to restart border demarcation and map making during 13-14 Feb meeting in Bogor, Indonesia; controversial Preah Vihear demarcation delayed. 4 Iranian suspects detained after accidental 14 Feb explosion; same day, Iranian documents found on man injured after hurling grenade at police and cab (see Israel). Political activist Surachai Danwattananusorn sentenced 28 Feb to 7.5 years prison for 2010 defamatory red-shirt rally speeches.