The Army spokesperson addressed an MP's social media post suggesting a helicopter fired on teenagers in the southern border provinces. He emphasized the need to be careful when creating social discourse based on unverified information, which could cause public panic.
On 23 Aug 2026 GMT+7, a Member of Parliament raised concerns on Facebook, citing reports from residents in Chanae District, Narathiwat Province, that some teenagers were injured by gunfire allegedly from a helicopter.
Major General Winthai Suwaree, Army Spokesperson, explained that the information does not align with facts, both tactically and operationally. The Army's aircraft in the southern border provinces are used only for patrol and aerial surveillance; helicopters are never equipped with weapons for attacking targets.
. Regarding the use of force against violent groups in the southern border provinces, officials always use it as a "last resort." This is evident from past operations—for example, law enforcement against suspects under arrest warrants: if there is no resistance or use of weapons against officials, no firearms are used. The Army confirms that any use of weapons is strictly for self-defense within legal frameworks and international standards.
The Army spokesperson further stated, that presenting information in such a manner not only creates news based on inappropriate processes and one-sided data, but also raises questions why official channels or responsible agencies were not contacted. Especially in the southern border provinces, many matters cannot be judged from one-sided accounts alone and must be considered with additional elements. Such cases may cause public alarm and affect the morale and operations of officials during crisis periods.
Recently, there have been frequent references to government work citing unfiltered information. The Army urges society and media consumers to exercise caution, as such behavior may be part of communication strategies aimed at influencing public opinion and fostering negative attitudes towards officials and government agencies.