Gunmen ambushed and opened fire outside Saiburi Police Station, resulting in Police Sergeant Major Natthawut being killed while on patrol duty. Security forces are sealing off the area and pursuing the attackers.
At approximately 18:30 on 22 May 2026, reporters were informed that Police Colonel Theerapot Yindee, Superintendent of Saiburi Police Station in Pattani Province, received reports of unknown assailants using unspecified firearms to ambush police officers on patrol near the new Saiburi Police Station under construction in Tabbing Subdistrict, Saiburi District, Pattani Province.
The incident resulted in one police officer being wounded, identified as 29-year-old Police Sergeant Major Natthawut Surarat, a squad commander (NPP) from Nong Chik Police Station, who was assigned to assist at Saiburi Police Station. Natthawut was shot in the left cheek with the bullet exiting the right side and was also hit in the left shoulder. He was urgently rushed to Somdej Phrayupharat Saiburi Hospital, where doctors made every effort to save him, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
Preliminary investigations revealed that while Police Sergeant Major Natthawut was on duty within the operational base area, unknown assailants concealed outside fired into the compound. The exact firing position remains undetermined. Natthawut was struck and fell. Police inside the base returned fire in self-defense, causing the attackers to retreat into the darkness.
Following the incident, police and security forces quickly sealed off the surrounding area, barring unauthorized persons from entering the scene to allow forensic teams to investigate, collect bullet casings, and gather evidence thoroughly to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Security units initially believe the attack was carried out by insurgents operating in the southern border provinces, aiming to target and assassinate state officials to perpetuate unrest in the region.