Narathiwat Province in Thailand’s Deep South Escalates Martial Law Powers After Deadly Attack Kills Five Border Rangers
NARATHIWAT, Thailand
Security forces in Thailand’s southern border province of Narathiwat have intensified the application of martial law powers following a deadly assault on a checkpoint that left five paramilitary rangers dead and several civilians injured.
On the evening of July 22nd, 2026, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a group of about six attackers dressed in black clothing arrived in a black four-door pickup truck at the Bukeh Sami municipal checkpoint in Tanyong Mat subdistrict, Ra-ngae district. The post was manned by personnel from the 4509th Ranger Company under the 45th Ranger Regiment Task Force. The assailants opened fire with assault rifles, including AK-47s, and threw pipe bombs at the position. Five rangers were killed at the scene. They were identified as Sergeant Major First Class Theerayut Somakerd and volunteer rangers Wimon Dabthong, Nattasit Kaewsena, Salahuding Pi, and Sakiriya Jena. Reports indicate six civilians were also wounded, including at least one child around 10 years old.
The attackers fled along Highway 4055 toward Dusong Yo, later abandoning and burning the getaway vehicle in the Sakor subdistrict, Si Sakhon district, to destroy evidence. Closed-circuit television footage captured the rapid assault, which lasted roughly 90 seconds. Attackers also seized weapons, body armor, and mobile phones from the fallen personnel.
In response, the Narathiwat Task Force issued Order 131/2569 (dated July 22nd, 2026, and reported publicly on July 24th), signed by Maj. Gen. Yod-awat Puengphak, the task force commander. Citing the Martial Law Act of 1914 (sections 6, 8, 9, 11, and 15), the order heightens operational measures across the entire province. Military personnel are authorized to establish checkpoints, search vehicles and premises suspected of links to unrest, arrest and detain suspects, and use force, including weapons, when facing immediate threats to personnel, in accordance with rules of engagement focusing on necessity and proportionality. Civilian authorities are directed to support military operations. The measures took effect immediately and remain in force until further notice. Martial law has been in place in the province under prior announcements, with earlier restrictions including nighttime curfews and tighter border controls introduced in January 2026 amid ongoing violence.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Chaiyapruek Duangprapat, who also serves as secretary of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), traveled to Narathiwat on July 23rd. He convened security agencies, inspected the site, and ordered intensified proactive operations. “I will have people hunt them in every village and every forested mountain area. Those who provide hiding places, and any country that provides hiding places, should know that we will pursue them to the ends of the earth,” he said. “Those responsible should be careful when they eat, sleep or walk. The time has come for you to become the hunted.” He directed ISOC Region 4 Forward Command to tighten security and accelerate the manhunt while operating within the law.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking at Government House on July 23rd, said he was closely monitoring the situation and had ordered the military, police, and Interior Ministry the previous night to resolve the incident, track the suspects, and protect residents. He described the attack as “very bad” and stressed the need to restore public confidence through every possible measure. Local officials, including Narathiwat Governor Boonchuai Hormyamyen, have coordinated enhanced intelligence sharing and safety plans while providing support to victims’ families.
ISOC Region 4 Forward Command condemned the attack as inhumane and paid tribute to the fallen rangers for their service protecting residents in the restive southern border provinces. Authorities continue to collect evidence, pursue leads on the attackers (suspected insurgents), and urge the public to report information via official hotlines while maintaining heightened vigilance. The incident forms part of persistent unrest in Thailand’s Muslim-majority Deep South.
