Progress in the shooting case "MP Kamonsak" Three arrested, two more pursued; explanation given on use of government vehicle "ISOC" (Internal Security Operations Command) used in the crime
On 6 April 2026, Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9 and Commander of the Southern Border Provinces Police Task Force, chaired a press conference on security law enforcement operations in the southern border provinces. Present were Mr. Kongsakol Jantrarach, Governor of the province; Mr. Nantapong Suwanrat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre; Pol. Maj. Gen. Chalermpong Kongbua, Secretary-General of ISOC Region 4; and Pol. Maj. Gen. Chumpol Saksureemongkol, Head of the Investigation Division of the Southern Border Provinces Police Task Force. The event took place at the National Police Frontline Operations Center.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chumpol Saksureemongkol, head of the Investigation Division of the Southern Border Provinces Police Task Force, revealed significant progress in the serious case involving the attempted shooting of a Narathiwat province member of parliament. Authorities have so far arrested three suspects connected to the case and are actively pursuing two more, making a total of five involved in the conspiracy.
The perpetrators planned and stalked their target carefully. Detailed investigations show a step-by-step plan, including sending someone to watch the target from the start at Hat Yai airport. Meanwhile, the hit team parked their vehicle near the MP's residence, about 3-4 kilometers away, from 3 p.m., as they were uncertain which flight the target would arrive on.
When the MP's car passed by, the hit team followed closely, then seized the chance to speed past and opened fire. They fled and abandoned the vehicle at a repair shop in Tak Bai district to dismantle and destroy evidence. Authorities gathered sufficient evidence leading to arrest warrants for all five suspects, including the lookout at Hat Yai airport; Mr. Somporn Rangdet, coordinator who arranged the hit team and provided firearms, who denies involvement but has a past murder-for-hire case in Ranong province in 2014 that was dismissed by the court.
The driver involved has confessed after being detained. Two gunmen, Mr. Thanapat, seated front left, and Mr. Wiroj, seated rear left, remain at large. The vehicle repair shop owner in Tak Bai, who dismantled the car, has confessed to accepting the task.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chumpol added that despite the coordinator's denial, authorities possess 100% solid evidence, including seized illegal firearms matching bullet casings from the crime. Critical CCTV footage captures the vehicle during the crime, escape route, and disposal at the repair shop, corroborating the dismantled vehicle parts clearly.
Regarding the government vehicle used in the crime, it was an unmarked official vehicle loaned by a state official to a friend, who then lent it to the suspects, known acquaintances. Such vehicle lending is common during field operations. In-depth investigations, including financial and communication checks, have found no evidence linking the official to knowledge or involvement in the assassination attempt. Disciplinary proceedings regarding unauthorized lending of the government vehicle will be conducted separately.
However, the masterminds and true motives remain officially undetermined, as the key suspect handling the contract refuses to implicate others. Authorities are intensifying efforts to uncover and prosecute those behind the attack under the law.