"Big Dul" ordered the hunt for the perpetrators who attacked the Bukeh Sami checkpoint, vowing to bring them to justice by any means necessary. He affirmed there is no division between the government and the military.
On 25 July 2026, Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defense, accompanied by General Chaipruk Duangprapat, Chief of Army Staff and Secretary-General of the Internal Security Operations Command, and Lieutenant General Narathip Poynok, Commander of the Fourth Army Region, visited Ra-ngae District, Narathiwat Province. They held a security situation meeting and gathered evidence following the attack on the Bukeh Sami checkpoint on 22 July 2026, where assailants opened fire and threw pipe bombs, resulting in the deaths of five rangers and multiple injuries.
The Defense Minister inspected the crime scene and met with security agencies at the 45th Ranger Regiment task force. He also visited 10-year-old Habib Hina, an injured victim, at Ra-ngae Hospital, emphasizing full compensation and care for those affected. Meanwhile, Narathiwat provincial police reported issuing an arrest warrant for one suspect and are expanding their investigation.
Lieutenant General Adul stated in an interview that the Prime Minister assigned him to closely monitor the case. He noted the attack was clearly well-planned to harm officials. The government, military, and security agencies utterly reject this brazen act and confirm there is no conflict between the government and military whatsoever.
"This act was brazen and deliberate against officials. We are committed to decisive action. Whether the perpetrators surrender or not, we will use all means to apprehend them. Both the Fourth Army Region commander and the Internal Security Operations Command secretary insist on capturing them. Whether alive or dead, I do not know. Whether we call it a manhunt or an arrest, the perpetrators must face justice under the law, even if they flee to neighboring countries; they must be brought back," Lieutenant General Adul said.
Lieutenant General Narathip Poynok, Commander of the Fourth Army Region, explained that the martial law enforcement in Narathiwat Province aims to facilitate officials' operations to track and arrest suspects. It applies only to targeted areas and does not cover the entire province. Civilians in urban areas continue their daily lives as usual.
Meanwhile, General Chaipruk Duangprapat, Chief of Army Staff, added that the personnel who died had long been familiar with and cared for the local population. He called on citizens to cooperate by reporting any suspicious activity or information about the perpetrators immediately. The military affirmed it will pursue this case to the fullest extent.