YALA — 29 June 2026, suspected insurgents targeted three PT petrol stations across Thailand’s southern border provinces late on 28 June, including sites in Yala, Pattani’s Sai Buri district and Yaring district.
At 23:08 on Sunday, the Yala City Police Station radio center received reports of a loud explosion-like sound in the area on Road 15 in Sateng Nok subdistrict of Yala’s Muang district. Following the alert, Kongsakul Jantrarat, Governor of Yala Province; Wimutti Amnatmani, District Chief of Mueang Yala; and Pol. Col. Chulachai Saengkul, Deputy Commander of Yala Provincial Police, along with Pol. Col. Chatchai Sakdee, Superintendent of Yala City Police Station; and Pol. Col. Pornchai Kuameng, Superintendent of the Provincial Police’s Special Operations Unit rushed to the scene. Firefighters and rescue workers were also deployed to the site.
The site of the blast was a PT petrol station on Road 15 in Sateng Nok subdistrict, Mueang Yala district, Yala province. The force of the explosion sent flames and thick smoke into the air. Fire crews from the Yala City Municipality, alongside rescue teams from the Chao Mae Thapthim Yala Foundation, the Mae Ko Niao Yala Foundation, and other relevant agencies rushed to bring the situation under control, secure the surrounding area to ensure public safety and manage traffic flow.
Meanwhile, authorities worked quickly to contain the blaze, inspect the scene, and collect evidence to determine the cause of the incident. Authorities said there were no reports of deaths or injuries. Officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage, and the cause of the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed.
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that about six men dressed in black arrived at the petrol station on two motorcycles before the blast. The group allegedly fired one or two shots into the air to create panic before ordering staff and members of the public to leave the premises. The group then entered the inner area of the petrol station, and moments later, a powerful explosion rang out, followed by a fierce blaze. Police sealed off the area to allow the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers and Police Forensic Science Center 10 (PFSC 10) to conduct a thorough and detailed investigation.
Reporters also stated that two other PT petrol stations across the southern border provinces were also struck by explosions the same night — the PT Pawa branch, in Sai Buri district, where one person was reportedly injured, and at the PT Piya branch, in Yaring district.
Authorities are currently inspecting the sites and gathering further details as investigations continue.