Crime Bomb Attack Injures Three Rangers, CCTV Camera Burnt

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Two separate incidents in the troubled southern region have raised security concerns after an improvised explosive device (IED) wounded three paramilitary rangers in Chanae district, and a CCTV camera was deliberately set on fire in Ba Cho district, both in Narathiwat Province.

 

According to Pol. Col. Krisada Kaewjandi, Deputy Commissioner of Region 9 Police and acting Provincial Police Chief of Narathiwat, orders were given to Pol. Col. Weerasak Persale, Chief of Chanae Police Station, to cordon off a dense rubber plantation located at Ban Irbue Ta, Moo 4, Tambon Chang Phueak in Chanae district until further notice.

 

The area was the scene of a bomb attack on the night of 9 August at around 19:20. The paramilitary tactical team from Ranger Company 4910, 49th Ranger Regiment, comprising seven personnel on patrol to suppress insurgent elements concealed in the village, was targeted by an IED hidden along their route inside the rubber plantation.

 

Three rangers were injured: Sergeant Thawatchai Khamniao, 47, Volunteer Ranger Ekkapong Muangnuea, 31 and Volunteer Ranger Jittawat Ditjamnong, 26. They suffered chest tightness and tinnitus but were given initial treatment at Chanae Hospital and were subsequently allowed to rest at their base.

 

Due to the dense undergrowth in the plantation, officials fear the attackers may have planned an ambush to kill more personnel. Authorities have coordinated with local village heads to temporarily halt rubber tapping activities until the area is secured and evidence collected. The clearing operation is expected to take about two or three days.

 

Investigators believe the bomb was a homemade explosive device concealed in a small container and buried on the footpath within the plantation. It detonated as the rangers passed, but the blast was not fully effective, causing only minor injuries.

 

In a separate incident in Ba Cho district earlier on the same day, Pol. Lt. Col. Kittisak Kaewmee, Chief Inspector of Paluka Samo Police Station, received a report from village headman Sa-olah Malai of Ban Ma-ha that a CCTV camera installed on a lamppost at the Ma-ha intersection was set ablaze by unknown assailants during the early hours.

 

Joint police and military forces, including the 1st Marine Ranger Battalion, inspected the scene and found that the camera, installed by Paluka Samo police for surveillance, was severely damaged by fire. The perpetrators reportedly climbed onto the roof of a nearby village shelter before setting the camera on fire and fleeing.

 

Authorities suspect both incidents were orchestrated by insurgent groups aiming to destabilise the area and sow fear among security forces and residents.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-11