In Pattani, two gunmen dressed like Muslim women used M16 rifles to open fire on Region 9 police officers outside the Pattani Excise Office, Mayo branch, while escorting a female suspect in a cigarette smuggling case for a fine hearing.
At 11:40 a.m. on 4 August 2026, Pol. Col. Torlap Lengha, superintendent of Mayo Police Station in Pattani, received a report of a shooting with injuries outside the Pattani Excise Office, Mayo branch, Village No. 5, Langa Subdistrict, Mayo District, located along the Narathiwat–Pattani road. Upon receiving the report, he informed his superiors and led forces to the scene, accompanied by Pol. Maj. Gen. Santhat Chueaphuttan, commander of Pattani Provincial Police.
Upon arrival, the scene was a single-story building with three rooms. Authorities cordoned off the area and found a bloodstain on the ground in front of the office. The injured was taken to Mayo Hospital and identified as Ms. Nurhayati Sameh, 21, a resident of Village No. 1, Karubi Subdistrict, Kapho District, Pattani. She had two M16 gunshot wounds under her right breast. Doctors provided initial treatment before transferring her to Pattani Hospital. Eleven M16 bullet casings were collected at the scene as evidence.
Investigation revealed that prior to the incident, the Region 9 police investigation unit had conducted a search and arrest of Ms. Nurhayati Sameh, the injured and suspect in a case involving the sale of untaxed cigarettes in Kannung Subdistrict, Saiburi District, Pattani. The suspect was brought to the Mayo Excise Office for a fine hearing.
About 10 minutes after arriving at the office, two gunmen dressed like Muslim women riding a Wave motorcycle slowed down, then opened fire with automatic weapons inside the excise office. Officers and the suspect jumped to avoid the bullets; however, Ms. Nurhayati Sameh, seated in front of the office, was wounded while officers sitting beside her were unharmed. The assailants then sped away through village paths.
Following the incident, Pol. Maj. Gen. Santhat Chueaphuttan ordered a joint force mobilization involving three agencies and coordinated with neighboring districts Panare and Yaring to track the suspects based on CCTV descriptions. Checkpoints were established on all routes, and a thorough search of the scene was conducted.
Investigators also reviewed CCTV footage from the scene and along the suspects’ escape routes. Authorities believe the assailants planned the attack and tracked police operations during the seizure of contraband. Dressed as Muslim women and armed with automatic weapons, they acted opportunistically when police arrived at the scene.
Officials suspect the attackers are linked to insurgent groups and smuggling networks in the area. They are gathering evidence, particularly bullet casings, to identify the perpetrators and determine connections to other cases.