In Pattani, a perpetrator fired more than 10 rounds from a military-style firearm at the leading candidate for Thanam Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief, killing him in front of his house. Panare Police Station suspects local political conflicts as the motive. The victim was a frontrunner in the race for the chief position.
At 2:00 a.m. on 3 April 2026, Pol. Col. Aphakorn Wirupak-Arak, Superintendent of Panare Police Station in Pattani, received a report of a shooting with a fatality in front of a residence in Village No. 3, Thanam Subdistrict. After receiving the report, he informed Pol. Maj. Gen. Santhat Chueaputtal, Commander of Pattani Provincial Police, and led a team to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim's body lying in a pool of blood in front of the house. The victim was identified as Manase Lokeo, 53, residing at that address. The body showed seven gunshot wounds to the torso from a military-style firearm. At the scene, officers found over 10 spent casings from M16 and AK rifles, which they collected as evidence.
Investigation revealed the victim was candidate number 2 for Thanam Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief in the upcoming 19 April election. Before the shooting, a tent had been set up in front of the victim's house to welcome people during his campaign. Every night, locals gathered there to drink coffee and discuss politics, showing support for the victim as the leading candidate. After the crowd left, while the victim was cleaning up the tent area, at least two armed assailants lying in ambush by the house wall opened fire as soon as they saw him alone, killing him instantly. The attackers then fled under cover of darkness.
After the incident, Pol. Col. Aphakorn Wirupak-Arak coordinated with local forces to surround the area and pursue the suspects. He especially instructed the investigation team to review CCTV footage and other evidence at the scene to trace connections related to the shooting. Authorities believe the perpetrators are local.
The primary motive is believed to be political, as the victim was a leading candidate for the Thanam Subdistrict Administrative Organization chief, enjoying strong local support. In his previous run, he narrowly lost by just over 80 votes and was confident of winning this time, backed by multiple supporters. However, authorities have not ruled out other motives such as personal issues or unrest and will continue investigating to determine the true cause.
Reporters added that this morning, about 1 km from the shooting scene, at the victim’s wife's home, a bathing and burial ceremony was held. Many relatives and community members attended to express their condolences amid a somber atmosphere.