Gunmen ambushed and shot Police Sergeant Major in the middle of a bird racing arena in Pattani. The bullet penetrated his head, causing serious injury, while police are urgently mobilizing forces to apprehend the perpetrator(s).
At 12:30 p.m. on 9 August 2026, Pol.Col. Sombat Sunhua, Chief of Thung Yang Daeng Police Station in Pattani, was notified that a police officer had been shot and wounded. He coordinated reinforcements to inspect the scene, accompanied by Pol.Maj.Gen. Santat Chueaphuttan, Pattani Provincial Police Commander, and Col. Nattawut Srisang, Task Force 44 commander.
Upon arriving at the scene, they found the crowd at the bird racing arena panicked by the incident. The wounded officer had already been transported to Thung Yang Daeng Hospital; he was identified as Police Sergeant Major Hakim Kueji, 32, a platoon leader..The officer from Thung Yang Daeng Police Station was shot once in the head by an unknown type of firearm, sustaining serious injuries.
Preliminary investigation revealed that before the incident, Police Sergeant Major Hakim entered the area to conduct security intelligence work. While inside the bird racing arena, the assailants—believed to be mingling with the crowd—approached and fired one shot with a handgun before fleeing the scene.
After the shooting, police and forensic officers thoroughly examined the area, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. They also inspected surrounding routes to gather clues for tracking down the perpetrator(s).
Pol.Maj.Gen. Santat Chueaphuttan ordered a combined force of three agencies and coordinated with neighboring districts to pursue the assailants. Checkpoints were established on key routes, and the vicinity was cordoned off for searches. Investigators were also instructed to urgently review CCTV footage from the bird racing arena and possible escape routes.
Security officials are considering multiple motives for the attack, giving weight to the possibility it was intended to incite unrest in the area. However, they have not ruled out other scenarios and are currently compiling evidence and intelligence to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.
Pol.Maj.Gen. Santat Chueaphuttan said that following the incident, he instructed officers to maintain vigilance over their assigned areas, especially since the attack occurred at a site with many gathered civilians. Thorough investigation of facts and evidence, particularly CCTV footage and witness statements from the bird racing arena, is underway to understand the assailants’ behavior and escape route.
He also ordered investigative and security units to closely coordinate intelligence sharing and to intensify efforts to track suspicious individuals. Surveillance of surrounding areas and routes linking to adjacent districts was increased to prevent the suspects from escaping.
Currently, authorities are still gathering comprehensive information and cannot definitively identify the assailants' group or motive. They urge the public not to jump to conclusions or spread unconfirmed information. Security has been tightened, especially in places with large gatherings, to ensure public safety and confidence.
Authorities prioritize swiftly apprehending the suspects and have instructed all units to act with care and caution. They urge citizens to promptly report any suspicious persons or vehicles to assist investigations and prevent further incidents.