Crime Police Officer Killed and Colleague Seriously Injured in Roadside Bombing in Pattani

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A police officer has died and another remains in critical condition following a targeted roadside bomb attack in Kapho District, Pattani Province, part of the violence-stricken Deep South.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 14:00 on 16 May, when officers from Kapho Police Station were patrolling a known flashpoint area near Ban Biting, Village 5, in the Talodue Raman Subdistrict. The patrol vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to have been planted by insurgents seeking to ambush the security team.

 

The explosion hurled the police pickup truck off the road and into a paddy field, leaving the vehicle completely destroyed. Police Lieutenant Panakorn Intha, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) at Kapho Police Station, sustained critical injuries and later died in hospital despite doctors’ best efforts to save him. Sergeant Major Thoensak Raksawong, who was also in the vehicle, suffered severe chest injuries and remains under intensive medical care at Kapho District Hospital.

Initial reports from Ranger Company 4403, relayed via the local Talodue Raman Security Coordination Centre, indicate that the bomb was detonated remotely as the police vehicle passed along a secondary road leading into the village.

 

Following the blast, emergency services and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams swiftly arrived at the scene. Forensic officers examined the site for clues as intelligence units pursue leads to identify those responsible. Security forces have sealed off the surrounding area and launched a coordinated sweep operation.

 

While no group has yet claimed responsibility, the attack bears hallmarks consistent with operations carried out by separatist insurgents, who have waged a low-level but deadly conflict in the region for over two decades. State officials, police, and military personnel are frequently targeted in bombings and ambushes.

 

Authorities have condemned the attack and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. The latest incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing instability and challenges to peace in the southern border provinces.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-17.

 

 

 

[gargamon]

Of course it's in the Muslim dominant south...

[edwinchester]

Patrolling a warzone in a pickup. When will security personnel get the proper equipment for the job?

[steven.g]

They need a better strategy than this. The situation is getting out of hand.

[billd766]

6 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Patrolling a warzone in a pickup. When will security personnel get the proper equipment for the job?

AFAIK the police have no armoured vehicles. They are even using motorcycles for some jobs in the South.

 

Neither the police nor the military have any MRAP Mine Resistant Ambush Protected armoured vehicles, though the army gas some second hand Stryker armoured vehicles being washed and polished in Bangkok, just in case those nasty peasants start to answer back and revolt.