The Navy has ordered Lt. Commander Montri Toprasert to return to duty in Bangkok to prevent complications in the shooting case involving MP Kamonsak after he admitted lending an ISOC Narathiwat vehicle to the suspect, without knowing it was used in the attack.
Update on the case where suspects used a white four-door Toyota pickup truck, registered under the ISOC Narathiwat unit, to fire an M16 assault rifle at the vehicle of Mr. Kamonsak Liwamo, Member of Parliament for Narathiwat's 5th district, from the Prachachart Party. The incident occurred in front of his residence in Bajoh Subdistrict, Bajoh District, Narathiwat Province, on 20 March, injuring the driver and police escort seriously.
Subsequently, officials arrested three of the five suspects wanted in the case: 1. Mr. Somporn Langdet, who coordinated and guided the operation, detained at Narathiwat City Police Station; 2. Mr. Alaw Awae, the driver during the attack, held at Bajoh Police Station; and 3. Mr. Sunthorn Promphakdee, owner of the garage who dismantled the vehicle, detained at Tanyong Police Station.
Most recently, at 14:00 on 7 April 2026, investigators brought these three individuals to Narathiwat Provincial Court to request detention as their custody exceeded 48 hours. The court granted detention for 12 days per term, up to seven times, as the charges carry penalties over 10 years. The investigation is ongoing. After completing the detention process, the suspects will be transferred to Narathiwat prison.
During Somporn's detention, an unappointed lawyer and his wife closely followed the case. Meanwhile, two suspects remain at large: Mr. Thanaphat Watthapinyo, a former ranger, and Lt. Commander Wiroj Ketumanee, a former naval officer, both accused as the shooters. Authorities are actively pursuing their capture.
Mr. Jamlong, a mechanic at Mr. Sunthorn's garage, was investigated and found uninvolved. Likewise, Mr. Yotkorn, Somporn's son and also wanted under the Emergency Decree, was found at home during the incident and cleared of involvement. Both were released.
Mr. Boonchuay Homyamyen, Governor of Narathiwat and ISOC Narathiwat director, revealed that the fact-finding committee investigating the use of the ISOC Narathiwat vehicle in the 20 March shooting questioned Lt. Commander Montri Toprasert, head of personnel and logistics at ISOC Narathiwat forward unit. He admitted lending the vehicle to Lt. Commander Wiroj Ketumanee, suspect in the attempted murder of MP Kamonsak, three times due to their close relationship since naval academy days, most recently on 19 March. He said he was unaware the vehicle was used in the attack and reported it stolen on 23 March 2026.
The Governor of Narathiwat also responded to inquiries regardingthe question of whether Lt. Commander Montri acknowledged after the news broke that he did not know the vehicle was used in the shooting, statingthat this was not reported in the investigation results but believed the police have already conducted inquiries. The fact-finding report has been sent to the Fourth Army Region Commander as the superior. It is understood that a disciplinary committee will be formed according to military regulations.
Colonel Ekwarit Chopchupol, deputy spokesperson of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Fourth Army Region forward unit, disclosed that the Fourth Army Region Commander has established a disciplinary committee to investigate all involved.Legally,there are two cases: first, a civil offense involving misuse of government vehicles. The legal team will further investigate the fact-finding report from ISOC Narathiwat to pursue civil action. The vehicle used in the incident was provided by ISOC central command, not ISOC Fourth Army Region forward unit.Second,the disciplinary case: the Fourth Army Region Commander has appointed a disciplinary investigation committee, chaired by the deputy commander, to examine those involved at ISOC Narathiwat, including the Narathiwat governor in his capacity as ISOC Narathiwat director.
The investigation covers all involved, not only Lt. Commander Montri Toprasert.They will review the ISOC Narathiwat investigation findings.The outcome is pending the disciplinary committee's conclusion. If wrongdoing is found, appropriate penalties will be considered. The Fourth Army Region Commander affirmed no protection will be given to those harming government interests.
Later, reporters contacted the Internal Security Operations Command office at the old Narathiwat City Hall to interview Lt. Commander Montri Toprasert, head of administration at ISOC Narathiwat, who lent the vehicle to Lt. Commander Wiroj Ketumanee, but he was not found. Officials said he had been ordered to return to duty at headquarters in Bangkok.Reporters then called Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, Navy spokesperson, who disclosed that the unit responsible is the Navy's Office of Security Coordination with ISOC. Rear Admiral Songsak Jumpamun, director of this office, has ordered Lt. Commander Montri to return to headquarters in Bangkok following the involvement in lending the vehicle linked to the crime.To avoid interfering with the investigation, he was recalled today.
Rear Admiral Parach confirmed the Navy is not neglecting the matter and wants investigators to perform their duties fully. Although former naval personnel are involved, even if retired, the Navy is willing to provide useful background information for the investigation.
Lt. Commander Wiroj Ketumanee resigned years ago to pursue other careers, while Mr. Somporn Langdet entered early retirement.Reporters also contacted Lt. Commander Montri Toprasert by phone, who answered and said he was boarding a flight from Narathiwat airport to headquarters after a superior ordered his urgent transfer.