An injured eyewitness from the unrest across 100 locations in the south insists they were shot from a helicopter, with bullet trajectories coming from above and visible muzzle flashes. Surveillance footage from a coffee shop is presented as proof of their location and non-involvement in the unrest, according to their account, as reported by SEE TRUE investigative team of Thairath TV.
The case involves unrest in the three southern border provinces, with over 108 incidents occurring between 22-24 August 2026. SEE TRUE investigative team of Thairath TV The team visited Relax Coffee shop in Dusongyo village, Dusongyo subdistrict, Chalana district, Narathiwat province, the coffee shop where four youths claimed they were shot from a helicopter.
SEE TRUE also obtained surveillance footage from before the incident. Locals confirm that these youths had no involvement in the unrest and were unfairly shot from a high angle.
On the night of 22 August 2026, armed groups carried out over 100 attacks in Chalana district, Narathiwat, including an arson attack on the Chang Phueak Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) office at approximately 19:50, plus 11 other incidents. That night, a group of youths was shot: Mr. Sore (surname withheld) He was shot about 2.5 kilometers from the Chang Phueak SAO. Mr. Sore and three friends, who were riding motorcycles together that night, all insist they were shot from a helicopter. This claim has sparked debate about whether the youths were actually fired upon from a helicopter, with some questioning why the youths were out and even suspecting they were involved in the unrest.
“Joo Santivithi” SEE TRUE interviewed Mr. Sore, the injured party, who confirmed that he was returning from camping at the beach bordering Saiburi district, Pattani, and Bacho district, Narathiwat. They stopped at Relax Coffee shop in Dusongyo village, Dusongyo subdistrict, Chalana district, Narathiwat, then left to return home to Aiyurus village, Chang Phueak subdistrict, around 9 PM. He confirmed he was shot from a helicopter, saw flashes from the bullets, heard gunfire, and observed the direction from above.
SEE TRUE also met three of Mr. Sore’s friends who were present during the incident, including Mr. Hasan (surname withheld), and revisited the scene. They all confirmed that during the unrest, they were at Relax Coffee shop and had no connection to the violent events. Around 9 PM, they left the shop to go home, passing a police checkpoint and the burned Chang Phueak SAO, about 16 kilometers from the coffee shop. After traveling about 2 kilometers, a helicopter followed them and gunfire was confirmed.
“Khun Worawut” The editor of SEE TRUE obtained surveillance footage from Relax Coffee shop, where the four youths said they were present during the unrest. The footage, timestamped 16:57, shows Mr. Hasan, wearing a red shirt and gray-white pants, arriving first on a motorcycle and parking in front of the shop, then sitting inside without leaving.
At 18:53, footage shows Mr. Sore and three friends arriving on two motorcycles, with Mr. Sore riding alone carrying what appeared to be camping gear. They parked briefly, then one motorcycle rode to a nearby 7-Eleven before returning at 19:08, carrying some items inside to another room in the coffee shop.
At 21:17, the camera shows Mr. Hasan still inside the shop. At 21:19, Mr. Sore paid at the counter, followed shortly by another friend. Both wore identical black long-sleeve shirts with the word “Touring” printed. At 21:20, all four prepared to leave. This footage is key evidence, supported by locals and the coffee shop owner, asserting that the youths shot were not involved in the unrest but were victims.
Besides the surveillance footage, Mr. Alamin, owner of Relax Coffee shop, showed the team where the group was seated that night. He recounted that on the evening of 22 August, the group of four youths, including Mr. Hasan, regularly gathered at the shop as usual. He confirmed that during the unrest, the youths stayed inside the shop, only briefly going out to nearby stores before returning. He was not present that night, but his brother was serving customers.
Mr. Alamin added that reviewing the shop’s CCTV showed the youths as seen in the footage. Around 8 PM, when the arson and bombings began, he called his brother to advise not to let anyone leave yet due to the darkness and potential misunderstandings. Indeed, later it was learned that Mr. Sore was shot, with speculation he was fired upon from a helicopter. He affirmed that the youths stayed at the coffee shop and did not participate in any violent acts. He has provided some evidence to the police to confirm this.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ismae, Mr. Alamin’s brother and the coffee shop barista who was with the youths on the night of the incident, wearing a yellow shirt with black stripes in the CCTV footage, said he knew the youths as customers and fellow villagers. They came to the shop normally, talking about typical topics like vehicles and music, with no suspicious conversation. The youths stayed at the shop from evening until after the arson and bombings at around 9 PM, when they left to return home, as shown by payment records and CCTV.
This coffee shop serves as a central meeting point for youths in Dusongyo subdistrict, Chalana district. Most are familiar with each other, as it is a small village in Chalana subdistrict. After the unrest, authorities requested businesses to close by 11 PM during this period to allow the situation to return to normal.