In Narathiwat, the Fourth Army Region Commander performed a water-pouring ritual for three brave soldiers who died during an attack by assailants on the Bukhe Sami checkpoint. Meanwhile, security forces are intensifying efforts to capture the suspects, who are believed to be members of the operational leadership group 'Maseafi-Abdullo,' individuals linked to several major security cases.
At 13:30 on 23 July 2026, at the multipurpose pavilion of Bang Nara Temple, Bang Nak Subdistrict, Mueang District, Narathiwat Province, Lieutenant General Narathip Phoeynok, Fourth Army Region Commander and Director of Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, presided over the water-pouring ceremony for three rangers from the 45th Ranger Regiment: 1. Sergeant Major Theerayut Somaked (43 years old) – company sergeant major, 2. Volunteer Ranger Wimon Dabthong (43 years old) – patrolman, 3. Volunteer Ranger Natthasit Kaewsena (34 years old) – rocket launcher operator.
During the ceremony, Lieutenant General Narathip laid a wreath on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, and Army Commander General Phana Klaewplodtuk. He also presented the 'Bang Rachan Medal,' certificates of honor, and initial financial assistance totaling more than 535,000 baht to the families of the deceased.
Also attending were Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, Narathiwat Governor Boonchuay Homyamyen, along with commanders, fellow soldiers, police officers, and administrative officials, all expressing their condolences before transferring the heroes' bodies for religious rites at their hometowns.
Sergeant Major Theerayut Somaked was taken to Phanom Temple in Phanom District, Surat Thani Province; Volunteer Ranger Wimon Dabthong to Champa Temple in Sangha District, Surin Province; and Natthasit Kaewsena to Manow Wan Royal Monastery in Chang Klang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
The incident occurred when over 10 assailants dressed in black used a black Nissan four-door pickup truck to attack Bukhe Sami municipal checkpoint in Tang Yong Mas Subdistrict, Ra-ngae District, Narathiwat Province, within the jurisdiction of the 4509th Ranger Company. They fired guns and threw pipe bombs at the checkpoint, resulting in the deaths of five officers at the scene and injuries to six civilians.
Security sources revealed that preliminary investigations suggest the attack was carried out by a militant group led by Mr. Maseafi Timo and Mr. Abdullo Masa, operational leaders active in four districts (Ra-ngae, Janae, Si Sakhon, and Rueso).
This group is known for frequent violent acts and has been linked to several significant past cases, including:
- 28 May 2025: Shooting attack on Janae Police Station, Janae District; - 3 January 2022: Shooting at the 4513th Ranger base in Ra-ngae District; - 28 December 2018: Seizure of a health center used as a base followed by an assault on the Kalisa Subdistrict Protection Unit base in Ra-ngae District.
Currently, authorities have deployed forces to surround and conduct thorough searches in the target areas to apprehend all perpetrators and bring them to justice as soon as possible. In the same incident, six civilians were injured. Among them, a boy named Hapib Hina sustained two lacerations near his thigh measuring about 2 cm and 1 cm. He is currently under close medical care and monitoring at Ra-ngae Hospital.
The other five injured individuals include Mr. Muhammad Ali Abroo, 67, with hearing loss; Mrs. Farhah Abroo, 67, with hearing loss and headache; boy Muhammad Hafit Hina, 15, experiencing shock; girl Awatif Buaraeng, 3, also in shock; and Mr. Masaifu Dao, 21, with minor head wounds but fully conscious. All have returned home for recovery.