Officials are investigating an incident where perpetrators planted an 80 kg bomb that exploded near an armored vehicle of an election patrol team in Bannang Sata district, Yala province, injuring one soldier.
On 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7, insurgents detonated a bomb targeting soldiers from the Rapid Deployment Unit (REVA), Company 1, while they were patrolling to secure routes during the election period. One soldier, Private Worawut Sukchuay, was injured. Authorities quickly transported him to Bannang Sata Hospital, where his condition is stable. The incident occurred at 16:35 near Wang Hin Bridge, Village No. 8, Tue Ra village, Bannang Sata subdistrict, Bannang Sata district, Yala province.Read more: Yala turns violent as insurgents ambush and clash with election security forces in Bannang Sata)
Following the incident, Maj. Gen. Kong-at Suwankham, Commander of Yala Provincial Police, ordered Pol. Col. Atthapon Kulwongmanaso, Chief of Bannang Sata Police Station, along with military, police, local administration units, and the Yala Provincial Police's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, to urgently investigate the scene with extreme caution due to concerns of a possible follow-up ambush by insurgents.
The explosion site is on a shortcut between Ngoka Po village and Bang Lang Dam, about 2 kilometers from Highway 410 connecting Yala to Betong. Authorities found a large crater in the middle of the road, measuring 3 meters wide and 1.5 meters deep. Nearby, the REVA armored vehicle was overturned on its side beside the road. Officials collected all evidence and interviewed witnesses present at the scene.
Investigations revealed that while the REVA soldiers from Company 1 were patrolling to secure the election units, insurgents had planted a bomb. The explosion caused the armored vehicle to lose control and overturn, resulting in the reported injury.
The EOD team found the bomb was a homemade explosive packed inside a gas cylinder weighing 15 kg, combined with explosives and rebar totaling 80 kg. It was buried under the bridge's drainage pipe and triggered by a pull-wire detonator system. Authorities are currently sealing off the area and pursuing the insurgent group responsible, believing this attack aims to destabilize the situation during the election period.