NARATHIWAT — In response to Saturday night’s deadly attacks in Thailand’s southern border provinces, security forces have implemented revised safety protocols across the region. The twin attacks in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, and Sai Buri district, Pattani province, claimed the lives of five security personnel and volunteers, while injuring 13 others.
Lt. Gen. Paisan Nusang, Commander of the 4th Army Region and Director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, visited the attack sites on March 9 to assess damage and coordinate an immediate security response. During an emergency tri-party meeting with military, police, and administrative officials at the Sungai Kolok Police Station, he outlined new security measures.
Investigators at the Sungai Kolok attack site discovered remains of a bronze Toyota sedan that had been converted into a car bomb. The vehicle was parked in front of the district office’s auditorium. The explosive device, contained in a 100-kilogram cooking gas cylinder and detonated by radio signal, functioned with devastating effectiveness.
The blast radius extended over 100 meters, severely damaging the auditorium facade, the revenue department building, the district office’s second-floor meeting room, the fire engine garage, the old district office building used for storage, and a National Housing Authority apartment building behind the district office. Windows, doors, louvers, roofing, trucks, and armored vehicles were all damaged by bomb fragments.
“We need to review our security plans and assess intelligence gaps to strengthen our approach, especially regarding targeted attacks against operational bases and volunteer personnel,” Lt. Gen. Paisan said. “This attack was well-planned. The perpetrators had been active in the area for some time, likely before Ramadan, and are probably associated with groups operating in Sungai Padi district.”
The commander emphasized that he doesn’t view the attacks as connected to peace dialogue efforts or any administrative vacuum. Instead, he stressed the need for improved intelligence gathering and closing security gaps, particularly during Ramadan.
He noted that violent incidents typically occur during the final 10 days of Ramadan due to misguided religious beliefs, but this year’s attacks happened early in the holy month, requiring heightened vigilance.
Lt. Gen. Paisan urged public cooperation, encouraging citizens to report suspicious activities. He later visited injured personnel at Sungai Kolok Hospital, bringing gifts and commending their bravery and sacrifice.
In Bangkok, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, returning from Germany on March 9, expressed condolences to victims’ families upon landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport. She called for enhanced remedial measures, increased security forces—especially during nighttime—and greater attention to public psychological security.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all local security agencies to implement 24-hour guards at district offices, government buildings, and operational bases. He mandated thorough vehicle inspections for all entering and exiting the area, prohibiting unauthorized vehicles, maintaining records of all vehicles near district offices, and requiring immediate reporting of suspicious activities.
“As we are currently in the month of Ramadan, a time of peace for our Muslim brothers and sisters, all officers must operate with extreme caution,” Anutin stated. “District volunteer company commanders and subdistrict protection unit chiefs must oversee safety throughout this period—before, during, and after Ramadan.
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