The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply distressed by the death of Thai journalist Phamon Phonphanit who was killed in a bomb blast in the Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat province in southern Thailand on September 24.
According to Bangkok Post reports, Sue Samut Atyakam reporter Phamon, 61, is the sixth person to die as a result the attack, after succumbing to severe burns sustained in the blast on September 16.
Phamon was injured by a third blast while reporting two earlier blasts, each set to detonate 20 minutes apart. A fourth bomb was discovered and defused prior to detonation. On September 24, police arrested two suspects for the attack which also injured more than 100 people.
“Phamon’s death should serve as a reminder to media owners to ensure that adequate safety measures are provided to all media personnel working in dangerous locations,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“The IFJ honours the courage of journalists working in conflict areas who risk their lives to keep the public informed, but is saddened that this work so often comes at the highest price.”
Phamon’s death is the second in recent years in Thailand’s troubled Narathiwat province. On August 21, 2008, Thai Rath reporter Chalee Boonsawat was killed in a bomb blast outside a restaurant in the same district.
Long-standing civil unrest and violence plagues Thailand’s southern provinces as conflict between various Muslim separatist movements and government authorities continues without resolve.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
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