Two killed in coordinated ambush on defence volunteers in Narathiwat
A roadside bomb and gunfire attack on a security volunteer truck left two dead and 16 injured on Friday afternoon in Sukhirin district, Narathiwat province. The assault targeted members of the Thailand Defence Volunteers (Or Ror Bor) as they returned from a boat training exercise.
What happened
The attack occurred between 14.52 and 15.10 on Highway 4115 near Ban Barukayaing, Rom Sai subdistrict. An improvised explosive device concealed in a 50-kilogram gas cylinder had been buried beneath the road surface and detonated as the six-wheel truck passed. Gunmen then opened fire on the vehicle, which overturned from the blast.
The dead were named as Defence Volunteers Irin Kaewrawang and Natthan Kaewsuphothip. All 18 personnel aboard were accounted for — 16 survivors were taken to Sukhirin Hospital, with four in critical condition later transferred to Sungai Kolok Hospital.
Security forces sealed the area and collected forensic evidence. Police Major General Praphoj Lomkhret, commander of Sukhirin Police Station, told reporters the ambush appeared to be retaliation for the killing of two bombing suspects on 9 September during an operation on the Ta We mountain range.
Government response
Narathiwat Governor Boonchuai Homyamyen visited the injured in hospital and ordered agencies to cover all medical costs and provide compensation to the families of the dead and wounded. He also instructed all relevant units to tighten security across the province.
Thailand's Ministry of Interior raised the security alert to its highest level in the three southern border provinces, particularly Yala. The Department of Provincial Administration directed township protection units to maintain maximum vigilance and warned residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered the creation of a "forward interior command" in the region to coordinate the work of police, military, and administrative officials. He reiterated that security must proceed alongside economic development, and that the government would not tolerate violence, bombings, or any actions meant to instil fear.
Context for residents
No group claimed responsibility for Friday's attack. Insurgent violence in Thailand's deep south rarely comes with public attribution, though officials have long pointed to separatist networks operating in the region. The incident adds to a toll of at least 17 dead and 20 injured from violent incidents across the southern border provinces since the start of 2026, according to official tallies.
For residents and officials in the area, the attack underscores the persistent risk of travel in rural districts, even for trained security personnel. The use of a buried gas-cylinder bomb — a common tactic in the region — means routine routes can become kill zones with little warning.
Security checkpoints on Highways 4115 and related roads in Sukhirin remain in place as investigators pursue those responsible.
