The bombing at a gas station did not impact tourists crossing the border from Malaysia into Thailand at the Su-ngai Kolok checkpoint. The Chamber of Commerce urges authorities to clarify the cause, emphasizing that the border was not closed due to the incident.
On 13 Jan 2026 GMT+7, reporters covered the aftermath of bombings at five gas stations across five districts in Narathiwat Province on 11 Jan 2026 GMT+7, which might affect the economy and tourism. At the Su-ngai Kolok border checkpoint, opposite the Rantupanyang checkpoint in Kelantan, Malaysia, the atmosphere was normal. Malaysian and other foreign tourists continued to cross the border with their families, especially on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays each week.
Immigration officials in Narathiwat reported travel statistics showing that most tourists use the Su-ngai Kolok border checkpoint to visit nearby provinces. Such violent incidents are now seen as commonplace in the southern border provinces, and tourists have become accustomed to them.
Suchada Phannara, an advisor to the Narathiwat Chamber of Commerce, said after the bombing of a PTT gas station that as a local from Su-ngai Kolok, she felt disheartened by the incident. However, tourist numbers have not decreased and remain steady. Narathiwat is the first checkpoint tourists enter before traveling to other destinations. Malaysian tourists enjoy visiting Thailand and she urged the government not to close the border after incidents but to reconsider carefully and invite stakeholders and business operators to discuss the matter.
Suchada added that she wants a clear conclusion on what actually happened—whether it was terrorism or security-related. The public is confused about the cause, and there are doubts about the security intelligence since such incidents occur frequently without clear explanations. Moreover, reviewing the perpetrators’ behavior from video clips shows they did not intend to harm people but aimed to damage the economy.
Police Major General Prayong Kotsakha, Commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, said that investigators are collecting evidence from all angles and have made significant progress. Notably, blood traces found at some locations are believed to belong to the perpetrators. Efforts are ongoing to verify links to insurgent groups, with advances in the investigation.