Security forces fatally shot "Saudi Tinguse" on Saji Mountain, Than To District, Yala Province. He was wanted on three security-related warrants and was heavily implicated in the attack on the Lamphaya Village Defense Post that resulted in 15 deaths.
In the early morning of 9 Nov 2026, special operations units (SOP) combined police, military, and local administration forces to enforce the law by sealing off and searching Saji Mountain, Village No. 7, Kampong Baru (a sub-village of Khok Chang), Mae Wat Subdistrict, Than To District, Yala. This followed intelligence that suspected insurgents were active and residing in the area.
A firefight broke out between officials and the suspects near the foot of Saji Mountain, about 1 kilometer from the Thai-Malaysian border, resulting in one fatality at the scene.
Preliminary checks uncovered one M16 A2 rifle and one pistol, along with field gear and survival equipment. Authorities are currently verifying the identity of the individual and collecting evidence.
Recently, Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, ordered Police Major General Chumphon Saksurimongkol, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, together with Police Colonel Chulachai Saengkun, Deputy Commander of Yala Provincial Police, and other commanders to visit the site to monitor developments.
Police Major General Chumphon stated that prior to the incident, authorities received intelligence about insurgents residing in the area. They deployed military and police patrols from around 05:00 hrs, leading to the discovery of the suspects and ensuing gunfire.
Initial investigations identified the deceased as Saudi Tinguse, a local from Bannang Sata Subdistrict, Bannang Sata District, Yala Province. He was wanted on three warrants and believed to be involved in several significant cases, including the attack on the Lamphaya Village Defense Post in Mueang Yala District, which caused 15 deaths, as well as assaults in Krong Pinang District and a 2013 decapitation murder of villagers. Details and links to each case remain under further investigation.
Deputy Commander Chumphon added that authorities had been monitoring and patrolling the area for about three days. The terrain is mountainous and difficult, with no vehicle access to the incident site; motorcycles were used to travel 2–3 kilometers further. Officials are coordinating with medical examiners, investigators, local administrators, and prosecutors to carry out legal autopsy procedures. The operation faces challenges due to the high mountains and continuous rain.
Meanwhile, Than To Hospital has prepared to receive the body and arranged facilities to assist officials in legal procedures. Authorities will continue verifying the identity, collecting evidence, and expanding investigations into related cases.