Armed Men Fail in ATM Heist at Fatoni University

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

Armed men attempted to rob an ATM at Fatoni University in Yarang district, Pattani, early Tuesday morning. The group of up to five individuals tied up security guards and stole their guns but failed to access cash from the ATM. The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) said an explosive was detonated but did not succeed in opening the machine.

The incident took place at about 12:53 a.m. when the assailants approached from a hill behind the university in tambon Khao Toom. They targeted the Islamic Bank ATM beside the university's gate but left only with stolen firearms. Isoc suggests the robbery attempt indicates the militants' desperation for funds despite the lack of success in gaining any money.

This foiled heist follows a large gold theft in Narathiwat province two days earlier, believed to be aimed at funding rebel activities. Recent months have seen similar incidents, including coordinated ATM robberies in August and a gold shop raid in Songkhla in 2019. Authorities are currently investigating and searching for the culprits involved in this latest attack.

Experts warn that such attempts could reflect an escalation in efforts to finance ongoing militant activities in the region. Security forces remain on high alert, closely monitoring similar institutions and reinforcing security measures to prevent future incidents.

Looking forward, increased security and investigation efforts continue to be vital as authorities work to prevent similar attacks. The search for the perpetrators is ongoing, with expectations of heightened security operations in the affected southern provinces.

Key Takeaways

• Armed men attempted and failed to rob an ATM at Fatoni University.
• Isoc believes the attack shows militants' growing desperation for funds.
• Similar robberies in the region have heightened security concerns.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-07