Pattani: Authorities are urgently tracking down six suspects who attacked the Bang Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Pattani Province, setting fire to a fire truck and a garbage truck, destroying two vehicles. Meanwhile, the Commander of the 4th Army Region visited Taluban Municipality to follow up on a bombing incident, stating that the perpetrators of the unrest in the South did not aim to kill but rather to discredit government officials.

According to Thai News Agency, in Pattani Province, six assailants stormed the Bang Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Moo 1, Bang Rai Village, Bang Khao Subdistrict, Nong Chik District, Pattani Province, and set fire to two vehicles, fortunately without injury. Reporters visited the scene and found a fire truck and a garbage truck damaged by the fire inside the SAO's parking lot. Investigations revealed that before the incident, SAO security guards were on duty when six assailants, dressed in black and with their faces covered, armed with five rifles and one handgun, arrived on three motorcycles. They confiscated the security guards' mobile phones and forced them out. The assailants then poured gasoline on the fire truck and garbage truck before setting them on fire. It is believed the assailants are a group of violent insurgents operating in Nong Chik District, possibly the same group as Wa-ali, who was recently killed by authorities. The siege that occurred in Moo 6, Pakaluesong Village, Tuyong Subdistrict, Nong Chik District on March 16th has prompted authorities to identify the perpetrators and pursue them for prosecution.

Lieutenant General Norathip Poynok, Commander of the 4th Army Region and Director of Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, inspected the scene and offered support to municipal officials in Taluban District, Pattani Province, following a bomb attack that damaged the new municipal office building. An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team is currently assessing the situation and collecting evidence. Security agencies in the area will expedite legal procedures. The public is urged to exercise caution and report any suspicious objects, individuals, or vehicles to authorities or the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Headquarters hotline at 1341.

Yala Governor Kongsakul Chantarat, along with the commander of the Yala Task Force and the Yala Provincial Police Commander, held an urgent meeting with security agencies, including the military, police, and administrative officials, to closely monitor the situation following last night's unrest in Yala Province. A total of 21 incidents occurred across six districts, focusing on bomb attacks, burning tires on roads, targeting CCTV cameras, cell phone towers, government buildings, and local administrative organizations. The governor ordered increased security measures, emphasizing that all districts should have fire trucks and aerial platform trucks readily available and that security be tightened.

At Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital, Lieutenant General Norathip also visited and offered condolences and monitored the condition of three injured victims of the unrest in Narathiwat: Ms. Norhayati, Mrs. Fazila Useng, and Mr. Saleh Doloh. He found that all three were conscious and alert. He confirmed that helicopters and drones were indeed used for patrolling various routes during that time, but there was absolutely no use of weapons or firing of bullets from helicopters onto the ground. Authorities will expedite a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts and provide clarity to the public.

The commander of the 4th Army Region analyzed the recent violence, concluding that it was not aimed at taking lives but rather at discrediting the work of officials. This is partly a consequence of the crackdown on illegal activities along the border, linked to drug trafficking, which is a major source of funding and protection money. This may have triggered underground groups to retaliate against government officials. Going forward, there will be no leniency towards those who break the law. An expanded investigation has been ordered, including the issuance of arrest warrants and the summoning of individuals for questioning to dismantle networks both domestically and internationally. The Anti-Corruption Commission is also coordinating with the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate financial transactions and crack down on any government officials involved or receiving benefits. While channels for political dialogue remain open under peace measures, those who attack officials and civilians will be punished according to the law.

In summary, the unrest in the three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala occurred at approximately 68 locations in a single night. This included 36 incidents across 13 districts in Narathiwat, 21 incidents across 6 districts in Yala, and 11 incidents across 6 districts in Pattani. Each incident caused extensive damage to homes, government property, and private assets.

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