Police Colonel Tawee, leader of the Prachachat Party, visited Pattani to inspect damage at the incident sites after armed insurgents attacked and set fire to more than 90 locations in the south. He said this undermines public confidence and called for a new approach to security problem-solving, urging openness to dialogue.
On 24 August 2026, Police Colonel Tawee Sodson, list MP and leader of the Prachachat Party, serving as advisor to the House Commission on Law, Justice and Human Rights, led a team to a convenience store in Village 3, Bang Pu Subdistrict, Yaring District, Pattani Province. This location was among those attacked by armed insurgents who forcibly expelled residents and then set fire to the site on the night of 22 August. The general atmosphere remains tense, with residents still alarmed but trying to maintain normal life, while local leaders and officials continue close monitoring of the situation.
Police Colonel Tawee revealed that according to data from the Internal Security Operations Command, there were over 51 attack points, and including tire burnings, nearly 100 locations were affected. It is estimated that no fewer than 500 operatives were involved, indicating the actions were part of an organized campaign.
"The goal was to destroy the economy and the property of the people, which has a significant impact because development efforts depend on outsiders coming in, but no one dares due to safety concerns. The current economy survives because locals have stood up to resist. The key philosophy is that people of the southern border provinces must be allowed to solve their own problems."
Damage assessments have been conducted by insurance teams on-site. The results and compensation details are expected within one month. Government aid will supplement insurance compensation according to established criteria. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre will expedite coordination between government and private sectors to restore business operations as quickly as possible.
Police Colonel Tawee said he does not wish to single out any party, but on a national scale, these incidents have eroded public confidence.
"Solutions should not be confined to a single agency. If what we've done so far has not changed the situation, we must be open to listening to others. The way forward is to enable all sectors, especially dissenting groups, to discuss what form of regional management is appropriate. Security cannot rely solely on one dimension; it must also ensure the security of the people."
After visiting Pattani, Police Colonel Tawee continued to incident sites in Panare and Saiburi districts and in Narathiwat Province to maintain ongoing situation monitoring.