Authorities have secured an arrest warrant for a man identified as Mr. Azizun, a resident of Chanae district, in connection with a violent attack on the Buket Sami checkpoint in Rangae district, Narathiwat, on July 22. The Narathiwat Provincial Court approved the warrant, which stems from a coordinated shooting and pipe bomb assault that claimed the lives of five rangers and injured six civilians.
Deadly Attack on Ranger Unit
The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 PM on July 22, as officers from Ranger Company 4509 were providing security at the checkpoint in Tanyong Mat sub-district. The attackers targeted the rangers with firearms and improvised explosive devices. The five rangers who lost their lives in the attack were identified as Sgt. Maj. Theerayut Somakoet and ranger volunteers Wimon Dapthong, Zakariya Jehna, Natsit Kaewsena, and Solahuding Pi.
In addition to the fatalities, six civilians sustained injuries. Among the injured were two boys, aged 10 and 15, and a three-year-old girl. While most of the civilians have been released from hospital care, the 10-year-old boy remains hospitalized at Rangae Hospital under close medical observation.
Investigation and Government Response
Lt. Gen. Adul visited the scene of the attack on Saturday and subsequently met with the injured boy. He conveyed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed him to closely monitor the investigation and ensure that all individuals responsible for the assault are brought to justice. Lt. Gen. Adul emphasized that the attack was a premeditated act specifically targeting security personnel, and all available resources would be deployed to apprehend those involved. He affirmed that legal action would be pursued regardless of whether the perpetrators remain within Thailand or attempt to flee the country.
Multiple Warrants and Suspects
Mr. Azizun is now wanted under two separate arrest warrants. The most recent warrant, issued by Rangae Police Station, directly relates to the July 22 checkpoint attack. He is also subject to an earlier warrant requested by Sungai Kolok police concerning a separate shooting and bombing incident that occurred in Sungai Kolok municipality on March 8, 2025.
In parallel with the investigation into Mr. Azizun, authorities have detained another individual, Mr. Mahamasri, from Sai Buri district in Pattani, for questioning. He is being held at the interrogation center of the 46th Ranger Regiment to aid investigators in identifying other potential accomplices linked to the Buket Sami checkpoint assault.
Details of the Attack Emerge
Information from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command (ISOC 4) indicates that security camera footage captured more than ten armed individuals participating in the attack. These individuals were observed traveling in a pickup truck and on motorcycles. The footage suggests a coordinated effort, with six attackers, clad in black and wearing wide-brimmed hats to obscure their faces, positioned in the back of the pickup truck. Another group on a motorcycle reportedly served as scouts, providing cover and facilitating the escape route.
The attackers initiated the assault by opening fire with M16 and AK-style rifles before deploying pipe bombs against the checkpoint. After successfully overwhelming the rangers, they looted the site, seizing four AK rifles, a handgun, ammunition magazines, and body armor. The entire operation, from the initial engagement to the escape, reportedly lasted approximately 90 seconds, with the perpetrators fleeing towards the Dusong Yo district.
Forensic Investigation and Vehicle Recovery
Investigators are currently examining a burnt-out pickup truck discovered later on the evening of the attack in Sri Sakhon district. This vehicle is suspected of being used by the attackers and subsequently set ablaze to destroy critical forensic evidence. While the license plate found on the truck was registered to a different pickup in Songkhla, officers are working to verify the vehicle’s chassis number to confirm its identity and connection to the incident.
Progress in Separate Bombing Investigation
In a related development, investigators have reported significant progress in the probe into a car bomb attack that occurred outside the old Tanyong police station in Muang district, Narathiwat, on July 21. This separate incident involved an improvised explosive device concealed within a vehicle, which caused minor injuries to a police officer and damaged the police station along with other government property.
Narathiwat Provincial Court has issued arrest warrants for two individuals in connection with the Tanyong police station bombing: Mr. Azmin, from Sungai Padi district, and Mr. Abdulrahim, from Tak Bai district. Both men were already sought under previous warrants related to earlier security-related incidents in Narathiwat province. Furthermore, two other individuals have been taken into custody for questioning at security interrogation centers as the investigation expands to identify and apprehend other suspects believed to be involved in both the checkpoint attack and the police station bombing.
