Five Ranger Officers Killed in Narathiwat Checkpoint Attack
Five ranger officers were killed in a gunfire and bomb attack on a checkpoint in Narathiwat's Rangae District on July 23, with six villagers also injured in the assault.
On July 23, gunmen launched an assault with gunfire and pipe bombs at Buko Sami checkpoint in Buket Sami municipality, Tangyong Sub-district, Rangae District, Narathiwat, killing five ranger officers from Unit 4509 on the spot and injuring six villagers. Authorities imposed strict road closures early in the day to allow forensic teams to inspect damage and collect additional evidence, prompting nearby shops selling water and rice to temporarily shut down. Investigators found severe damage to nearby homes, with roofs completely destroyed and motorcycles and household items suffering extensive harm from the explosions. Relatives of 43-year-old Sergeant Thirayuth Somakaet, one of the slain officers, invited Buddhist monks to perform a spirit-summoning ceremony at the incident site and collected his personal belongings to take home. Religious ceremonies, including a water blessing, will take place in Narathiwat before the deceased officer's body is transported back to his native village for religious rites and merit-making ceremonies.
