The national police chief urgently ordered the Deputy National Police Chief and the Region 9 Police Commander to accelerate the investigation and pursuit of suspects who planted bombs and set fire to 11 gas stations in the southern border area. He stressed the importance of strict intelligence, raising security measures, sending support to southern police, and emphasized restoring public confidence in safety.
Today (11 Jan 2026), Pol Maj Gen Yingyos Thepchamnong, Assistant Spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, revealed that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, urgently instructed Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy National Police Chief for Security Affairs and Commander of the Royal Thai Police Forward Operations Center, along with Pol Maj Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of the Region 9 Provincial Police, to promptly investigate and examine the incidents where suspects planted bombs and set fire to gas stations and convenience stores inside them. A total of 11 locations across Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani provinces were affected. The attacks began at 00:55 on 11 Jan 2026 and spread across multiple areas. The gas stations and stores suffered damage, and initially, four civilians and police officers were reported injured.
The Royal Thai Police spokesperson stated that the police chief ordered a prompt pursuit of the insurgents to bring them to justice. He emphasized thoroughly gathering evidence during the investigation. Preliminary reports indicate these acts were committed by insurgent groups aiming to create violence the night before the local administrative elections. The investigation is progressing well in several locations. The police chief also emphasized that all police units in the area, including provincial police and border patrol police, must intensify intelligence operations and elevate security measures in all aspects to maintain peace and build public confidence. Furthermore, the police chief expressed concern for all officers on duty, offering encouragement to perform their duties resolutely, instructing commanders to strictly enforce safety measures for all personnel and to closely support their morale.
The Royal Thai Police spokesperson added that the bombings and arson at 11 sites caused injury to Police Sub-Lieutenant Prasit Bamrung, Deputy Patrol Inspector of the Ra-ngae Police Station in Narathiwat Province, who was inspecting the bombing at the Tan Yong Mat branch gas station in the Ra-ngae area. He was wounded by shrapnel from the explosion. Police General Kittirat ordered full medical care and welfare support for him.