The SEE TRUE news team conducted on-site investigation of 131 disturbance points across 8 days in Southern Thailand, crossing the border to interview a former BRN leader about challenging state power, damaging the economy, and aiming for self-governance.
Regarding the case of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the BRN carried out violent acts throughout the three southern border provinces and four districts of Songkhla between 22-29 August 2026, totaling 92 incidents at 131 locations within just 8 days, including 75 bombings.
The SEE TRUE news team from Thairath TV closely followed the situation, reporting major incidents such as bombings and arson at 8 subdistrict administrative organizations, 2 municipalities, 2 Seven-Eleven stores, an industrial rubberwood processing factory, and a Global House shopping center in Pattani.
In Pattani, the most bombed and burned locations included 5 subdistrict administrative organizations and municipalities—4 in Pattani and 2 in Yala. Two Seven-Eleven stores in Pattani were bombed and set on fire. A rubberwood processing factory in Pattani was arsoned, and the Global House mall was targeted with 5 bombs; 4 exploded and 1 was defused.
The SEE TRUE news team from Thairath TV traveled across the border to speak with Ustaz Hron Isahoh, a former senior BRN leader, who served as the BRN governor of Narathiwat Province.
When asked about the responsibility for over a hundred attacks, he did not answer directly due to a rule of “neither confirm nor deny,” so the interview continued with indirect questions until he acknowledged that the BRN carried out the operations, which were planned and executed within just two days.
“I cannot answer this directly because it is BRN's right from the beginning. Since the BRN was established, we neither acknowledge nor deny. It remains the same now,” Ustaz Hron replied evasively.
However, he revealed that large-scale operations are ordered from above, and there is no split between BRN's political and military wings. Currently, each side performs its own role; politics handles political affairs, and the military handles military tasks, because the peace talks have yet to yield any agreements.
The surge in over a hundred major attacks followed the postponement of peace talks after the killing of five ranger soldiers in Bukeh Sami village.
“Why did these events happen now? Because the peace talks were postponed. Why postpone? To negotiate because five ranger soldiers were killed. I ask, what is the purpose of having Village Defense Volunteers or rangers? If they meet these groups, will they not shoot? What is wrong if the movement shoots state-armed groups? Both sides have weapons; they are opponents, and it is their duty to engage,” he explained.
When asked about the arson attacks on municipalities and subdistrict organizations, Ustaz Hron said the BRN does not support this kind of decentralization, and some municipal or subdistrict officials may express opposition to the movement's struggle.
Regarding bombings and arson at shops and businesses in the southern border provinces, while he did not answer directly, he admitted these acts damage the economy, especially large capital, and that the BRN movement has long engaged in such tactics.
The SEE TRUE team asked about the BRN's goals. Ustaz Hron clearly stated they seek a self-governance system comprising identity, politics, and territory. He believes past negotiations only allowed BRN economic powers, which is insufficient. They want self-governance with broader agreements—not like Pattani or Bangkok's systems.
“We must have our own laws, including Sharia law. We need our own economic system, security, and identity. All these must be part of the governance system,” the senior BRN leader explained their desired self-governance.
Regarding what will happen next, Ustaz Hron said violence will increase if the peace process lacks continuity until a joint agreement is reached at the negotiating table.
The SEE TRUE team interviewed Rear Admiral Somkiat Pholprayoon, former commander of the Narathiwat Marine Task Force, former secretary of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and a former member of the Southern Border Peace Negotiation team.
“The demand for self-governance is clear. Previously, Thai people would ask what this means. This time, they explained it clearly: a self-governing area with a local government, leaders elected only from locals who are the top administrators, a local parliament, and laws consistent with local ways, including Sharia and Islamic law. This communication is now explicit,” Rear Admiral Somkiat commented on the situation.
However, the former military officer, with extensive local experience, said that as a former government official, anything outside the constitution cannot be accepted, and ways must be found to bring the situation back within Thailand’s constitutional framework.
“Most importantly, the desire for self-governance lies outside the constitutional framework. A crucial question is that the area is not inhabited only by Muslims, but also Buddhists of Thai and Chinese descent, who have lived there for generations. What will their status be?”
Follow the SEE TRUE mission to reveal the truth with continuous coverage from 7-9 September 2026 on the Thairath News Show after 9:00 p.m.