Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A 64-year-old man was brutally executed outside his home in Pattani province by a group of five masked gunmen dressed in black. The assailants restrained the victim’s hands behind his back before shooting him twice in the head. The victim’s wife and grandson attempted to intervene but were threatened at gunpoint.

 

The attack took place at approximately 19:30 on 20 March in Ban Klang subdistrict, Panare district. Local police received reports of a fatal shooting and dispatched officers to the scene, led by Pol Lt Col Roengsak Chatsuksiridech, an investigator at Panare Police Station.

 

Upon arrival, authorities secured the area and discovered the body of Mr Maroning Masu, 64, lying in a pool of blood outside his home. He had suffered two gunshot wounds to the head from an unknown calibre firearm.

 

Eyewitnesses recounted that five armed men, their faces covered, arrived on three motorcycles. Two of them carried military-style rifles, while others wielded handguns. The assailants stormed towards the victim, subdued him, and tied his hands behind his back, appearing to interrogate him.

 

During the ordeal, the victim’s 15-year-old grandson, who was inside the house, attempted to intervene but was beaten and threatened with a gun. Fearing for his life, he ran to alert his grandmother. When the victim’s wife rushed outside to help, one of the gunmen immediately shot Mr Maroning twice in the head at close range, killing him instantly. The attackers then fled on their motorcycles.

 

On 21 March at 09:00, Pol Col Apakorn Virupak-arak, Chief of Panare Police Station, led a forensic team and bomb disposal officers to the crime scene for further examination. Investigators recovered three unused AK-47 rounds, which were collected as evidence.

 

Authorities suspect that the attack was a targeted killing, as the perpetrators appeared to have a specific objective in restraining and questioning the victim before executing him.

 

Initial theories suggest that the assailants may be linked to local insurgent groups. Investigators have gathered key witness testimonies, though full details remain undisclosed. Police are pursuing leads to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the assassination.

 

 

-- 2025-03-22

 

On 3/21/2025 at 10:06 PM, Georgealbert said:

During the ordeal, the victim’s 15-year-old grandson, who was inside the house, attempted to intervene but was beaten and threatened with a gun. Fearing for his life, he ran to alert his grandmother.

 

What could she do?