In the span of twelve hours, from midnight on Sunday, 28th April, to the morning of Monday, 29th April, two separate attacks were carried out by unknown insurgents in Yala province, Southern Thailand, resulting in the deaths of two policemen and one defense volunteer, as well as the severe injury of a third policeman, according to police reports.
The defense volunteer, identified as Thirawut Puttharat, 34, was killed just 300 meters from his base in Moo 1 village (named according to the Thai Addressing System). The policemen, identified as Pol Senior Sgt Major Issaret Intharapet and Pol Cpl Monpithak Phetnui, were killed, while Pol Cpl Phanuwat Wetpasarn sustained severe injuries, possibly a broken spine, during the attacks.
The first attack occurred shortly after midnight at a grocery shop on Yala-Bannang Sata Road in Tambon Taling Chan, Bannang Sata district. Defense volunteer Thirawut Puttharat had reportedly left his base around midnight to purchase items at the nearby shop. Upon his arrival, an unknown number of insurgents, believed to have been hiding in tall grass by the roadside, opened fire on his vehicle, killing him in the driver’s seat, according to police reports. The attackers then set the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene. The car was completely destroyed by the blaze, and Thirawut’s body was burned beyond recognition. Defense volunteers at the nearby base were unable to assist, as insurgents fired warning shots to prevent them from intervening.
The second attack occurred in Yala’s Thanto district. Thanto District Police Chief, Colonel Pariwat Khuanmanit, said the incident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, and initial investigations suggested that a homemade bomb, believed to have been planted in a nearby vehicle, detonated just as a police vehicle stopped at the scene.
The explosion created a large crater in the road and hurled the police vehicle several meters away, flipping it upside down.
The explosion caused all three officers, who were travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, to suffer severe injuries. However, two of them were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The third officer is still receiving treatment.Thanto District Police Chief, Colonel Pariwat Khuanmanit
Colonel Pariwat added that investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the attack. So far, no armed group has claimed responsibility for either incident. Authorities believe the attacks were carefully planned, given the timing and coordination involved. Forensic teams have been deployed to both sites to collect evidence, while security forces have stepped up patrols and checkpoints across Yala province in an effort to prevent further violence.
The violent attacks occurred despite recent orders from Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to tighten security measures following an earlier incident in which Buddhist monks and novices were fired upon during an alms collection, resulting in the death of a young novice.
Phumtham has reiterated the Thai government’s commitment to pursuing peace dialogue with insurgent groups. However, violence in the southern provinces has persisted, highlighting the ongoing challenges to achieving lasting stability in the region.