Narathiwat — Summary of the incident where nine suspects launched an attack on the Bukeh Sami checkpoint. Five rangers were killed in just over a minute during the attack. The suspects stole five guns, including folding-base AK rifles and an 11mm pistol. Over 100 spent shells of three types were found scattered at the scene.
On 23 Jul 2026 in Narathiwat, reporters provided an update on the shooting attack against personnel from Ranger Company 4509, 45th Ranger Regiment, while they were manning the Bukeh Sami checkpoint, Moo 7, Tan Yong Mas Subdistrict, Ra-ngae District, Narathiwat. Five rangers were killed and six civilians wounded. The attack occurred at 18:45 on 22 Jul 2026.
Throughout the night, Narathiwat Governor Boonchuay Homyamyen, Police Region 9 Commander Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Narathiwat Provincial Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Prayong Khotsaka, and Col. Witthaya Sariya, Commander of Task Force 45, jointly directed the investigation at the scene. Bomb disposal experts from the Narathiwat Provincial Police and forensic officers arrived to collect evidence.
More than 100 spent cartridges of three types used by the attackers were scattered on the road, including M16, AK, and 11mm pistol cartridges. Various other cartridges extracted from jammed weapons were also found. The checkpoint bunker showed multiple bullet holes from the attackers' gunfire.
Additionally, at the left end of the bridge near the checkpoint, a pipe bomb was thrown by the suspects while fleeing. Authorities collected the device as evidence.
An inspection of personal equipment belonging to the five deceased rangers found the following:
1. Sergeant Major Thirayut Somakerd, 43 years old.
2. Ranger Volunteer Wimon Dapthong, 43 years old.
3. Ranger Volunteer Zakiriya Jena, 23 years old.
4. Ranger Volunteer Natthasit Kaewsena, 34 years old.
5. Ranger Volunteer Salahuding Pi, 34 years old.
Officials found that after the deaths of the five rangers, the suspects stole four bulletproof vests, four ammunition pouches, and one 11mm pistol before fleeing.
Later, authorities reviewed CCTV footage installed at the checkpoint and opposite the right side of the checkpoint. It showed nine suspects involved. The first group of seven rode in a black Nissan pickup truck, license plate Phon 6866 Songkhla, with six dressed in black outfits resembling rangers and wearing hats to conceal their faces.
The second group of two rode a white and red Honda Wave motorcycle with unknown license plate. The driver wore a white shirt and helmet and carried an 11mm pistol. The passenger, a man disguised in a black hijab, carried an AK rifle and followed the pickup as rear guard.
According to CCTV, the suspects drove the pickup along Tan Yong Mas market road, led by another pickup and followed by the motorcycle guard. Upon reaching the checkpoint where three rangers were manning the roadblock, the suspects slowed down and those in the pickup bed opened fire with M16 and AK rifles.
After the rangers fell, the suspects stopped the pickup and shot again to ensure the five rangers inside the bunker were dead. They then searched and took four folding-base AK rifles, one 11mm pistol, and four ammunition pouches, totaling five guns, before fleeing toward Dusongyo Subdistrict, Chanae District, Narathiwat. The second group on motorcycle provided covering fire with 11mm pistols and AK rifles while assisting in looting bulletproof vests and weapons from the deceased rangers. After the first group escaped, the second group fled by motorcycle.
This entire operation, as captured on CCTV, lasted only 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Sources stated the Bukeh Sami checkpoint usually has eight rangers on duty, but only five were present due to three being on leave. The suspects likely knew this and planned the attack exploiting the reduced personnel.
After the attack, the suspects fled in the pickup toward the border between Chanae and Si Sakhon Districts. At 20:00 on the same day, Pol. Col. Kanit Tengting, Chief of Si Sakhon Police Station, was notified by village headman Irjia of Village 5, Sakha Subdistrict, Si Sakhon, about a burning Nissan pickup truck, license plate Phon 6866 Songkhla. Police and military personnel responded and found the vehicle completely burned.
The pickup was used in the attack at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in Ra-ngae District. Authorities informed superiors and relevant units to collect evidence for forensic examination.
Preliminary checks showed that the license plate Phon 6866 Songkhla belongs to a brown Isuzu pickup owned by a resident of Sathing Phra District, Songkhla Province. Authorities will verify the chassis number of the Nissan pickup used to identify the real plate and owner to aid investigation and prosecution.
Six people were injured: 10-year-old boy Hapib Hina with a laceration on his right thigh, treated at Narathiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital; and five others—Muhammad Ali Abru, 67; Farhah Abru, 67; Muhammad Hafit Hina, 15; 3-year-old Awatif Buraheng; and Ma Saifu Dao, 21—who suffered shock, ear ringing, and headache. After first aid at Ra-ngae Hospital, they were discharged to recover at home.