The Prime Minister condemned the pipe bomb attack that covertly targeted rangers, killing 5 and injuring 2 villagers in Narathiwat. He assigned the Defense Minister to visit the area to oversee maximum relief efforts and emphasized that the perpetrators will not be allowed to remain free without punishment.
At 09:45 on 23 July 2026 at the Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul was interviewed regarding the ambush on rangers at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint in Narathiwat, which resulted in 5 deaths and injuries to a 10-year-old child. When asked if he would personally visit the area to monitor the situation and visit the injured, he said, “I am closely following the situation and have already ordered all agencies, including the military, police, and Ministry of Interior, since last night.” When asked if he would personally visit due to the ongoing escalation, Anutin did not answer directly but reiterated, “All orders have been given.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that the Prime Minister condemned the Narathiwat terrorist attack, where assailants fired guns and threw pipe bombs at the Bukeh Sami municipal checkpoint in Ra-ngae district, Narathiwat province. The attack killed 5 rangers and injured 2 villagers. She described the act as brazen and ordered strict legal action to ensure the perpetrators receive the maximum penalty.
The Prime Minister condemned the terrorist groups, calling them obstacles to peace negotiations and talks. He said the government must find ways to improve operations, including faster intelligence gathering and better measures to prevent attacks and protect officials.
The Prime Minister affirmed that the government will take decisive action against the perpetrators. He ordered the Fourth Army Region, the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front (ISOC 4 Front), the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), the Ministry of Interior, and related agencies to integrate efforts and urgently apprehend the suspects for prosecution as soon as possible.
He emphasized that this was a brazen terrorist act clearly aimed at killing state officials, posing a severe threat to national security. The government will use strict legal measures and will not allow the perpetrators to evade justice.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister ordered the Defense Minister to travel to Narathiwat to monitor the situation, inspect officials’ operations, and meet with security agencies to establish urgent and long-term measures to prevent and resolve terrorism in the southern border provinces. All units are to operate on the ground to build confidence and morale among local residents.
“The Prime Minister expresses deep condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and the injured civilians. He has assigned the respective agencies to promptly provide assistance and care for both the injured and those affected, ensuring maximum relief as stipulated by regulations,” the statement said.
Ms. Ratchada added that although there has been good cooperation from local residents in addressing issues, in the past two to three months there have been ongoing violent incidents by terrorist groups aiming to instill fear among the people and target state officials. These acts are crimes and national security threats that cannot be negotiated. The government will strictly enforce the law while simultaneously ensuring safety and building confidence among the local population.