Five paramilitary rangers were killed and five civilians, including children, were injured when six armed men attacked the Buketa Sami checkpoint in Ra-ngae district, Narathiwat, on 22 July 2026.

The attack began at 6.45pm at the checkpoint in Tan Yong Mat municipality, an area covered by Ranger Company 4509. The assailants fled after firing weapons and throwing pipe bombs, authorities said.

CCTV footage reportedly showed a co-ordinated convoy. A red Honda Wave 110 motorcycle acted as a lead vehicle, followed by a black four-door Nissan pickup carrying six men in black clothing and black wide-brimmed hats in its rear section.

A white Honda Wave motorcycle followed behind as an escort vehicle, according to the report.

Rangers and nearby residents hurt

The five rangers killed were Sergeant Major Thirayut Somakoet, 43; Ranger Volunteer Wimon Dapthong, 43; Ranger Volunteer Natsit Kaewsena, 34; Ranger Volunteer Solahuding Pi, 34; and Ranger Volunteer Sakiriya Chena, 23.

Five nearby civilians were also injured in the gunfire and blasts. They were identified as Habib, a boy; Muhammad Ali Abru; Farhah Abru; Muhammad Hafit Hina; and Awatif, a boy.

Officials and local residents took the injured to hospital urgently. The hospital did not give details of their conditions.

Pickup later burned about 30km away

After the attack, the group escaped in the pickup and motorcycles along Route 4055, travelling from Tan Yong Mat towards Dusongyo in Ra-ngae district.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Security forces immediately sealed off the scene and deployed police, soldiers and forensic officers. They were collecting bomb fragments and spent cartridge cases for DNA examination as part of efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible.

Later, the pickup believed to have been used in the attack was found burned in Kalisa subdistrict, Ra-ngae district, near the border with Si Sakhon district. It was on Khao Kanhua, around 30 kilometres from the checkpoint.

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23 July 2026

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Another generous offering from the Religion of Peace™ at the Narathiwat checkpoint as five rangers sacrificed on the altar of tolerance.

Truly, their faith moves mountains... of bodies.

Fits the grim pattern in Thailand's deep south.

Sounds to me like they got caught napping,

6 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The five ranger

Paramilitary "rangers" are armed, militarized group that functions like an official military but is not part of Thailand's formal armed forces.

Ordinarily Thailand maintains command over the southern Muslim insurgency through a military-led approach directed by the Internal Security Operations Command. But for at least a decade, especially during the military junta led government, Thai military has outsourced many of its patrols to paramilitary.

1 hour ago, FinChin67 said:

Fits the grim pattern in Thailand's deep south.

No different pattern than Ukrainians fighting Russian military occupation of Ukrainian areas to regain Ukraine sovereignty.

The Malay-Muslim insurgency is a decades-long separatist and religious conflict centered in Thailand's southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

These provinces were historically part of an independent sovereign Malay-Muslim sultanate before being ANNEXED forcibly by Thailand (then Siam) Kingdom in 1909. The local population then and today is predominantly ethnic Malay and Muslim, while the rest of Thailand was overwhelmingly Buddhist. After its annexation, Thailand established Patani under Thailand/Buddhist laws, culture and language.

11 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

No different pattern than Ukrainians fighting Russian military occupation of Ukrainian areas to regain Ukraine sovereignty.

The Malay-Muslim insurgency is a decades-long separatist and religious conflict centered in Thailand's southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

These provinces were historically part of an independent sovereign Malay-Muslim sultanate before being ANNEXED forcibly by Thailand (then Siam) Kingdom in 1909. The local population then and today is predominantly ethnic Malay and Muslim, while the rest of Thailand was overwhelmingly Buddhist. After its annexation, Thailand established Patani under Thailand/Buddhist laws, culture and language.

Oh please! This is pure ethnic nationalism over a 1909 border dispute. Islam has absolutely nothing to do with the bombings, beheadings, or the explicit calls for an Islamic state under Sharia...

Just like Ukraine’s fight is somehow unrelated to being Ukrainian.

Facts: BRN remains the dominant group with growing operational freedom in Narathiwat. Attacks often involve disguises (e.g., hijabs) and hit-and-run tactics. Peace talks (e.g., under various Thai governments) have stalled due to factionalism, demands for independence/autonomy, and lack of trust. Insurgents reject full integration. Some ideological ties to broader jihadist ideas ISIS/Al-Qaeda style and rhetoric has radicalized.

Maniacs and they will never ever stop just the same as Palestine.

Sometimes I think Thailand would be better off just giving them the 3 provinces down there.

These rangers were just peacefully doing their job.All looked just ordinary blokes.

The world is without a doubt a sxxttier place now and there seems to be only one common denominator .

...Woefully Disorganized... (?)

...There Must Be A Lot Behind Such A Massacre... (?)

...Will We Ever Know...(?)

6 hours ago, SOTIRIOS said:

...Woefully Disorganized... (?)

...There Must Be A Lot Behind Such A Massacre... (?)

...Will We Ever Know...(?)

Massacre? You mean like Tak Bai?

Thai military must leave Patani and let it govern itself as an autonomous state in Thailand. Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

15 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Massacre? You mean like Tak Bai?

Thai military must leave Patani and let it govern itself as an autonomous state in Thailand. Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Yes,cowardly massacre that could involve dead kids.

19 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Massacre? You mean like Tak Bai?

Thai military must leave Patani and let it govern itself as an autonomous state in Thailand. Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Do you think it would actually stop the violence? Why Satun and Songkhla? Were they ever disputed provinces?

28 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Thai military must leave Patani and let it govern itself as an autonomous state in Thailand. Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

Why? Nobody alive today was around pre 1909, so why can't the current generation just live in peace?

Why do so many people who follow that cult crave separatism, domination and violence 🤷‍♂️

2 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

Do you think it would actually stop the violence? Why Satun and Songkhla? Were they ever disputed provinces?

No they were not, but I assumed the OP meant since all 5 provinces are predominantly Malay and Muslim as well.

regarding the violence, I think it would help immensely in stopping the conflict. the 3 provinces can join the Malaysian state where their culture and religion are the same.

The residents in those said areas are not Buddhists nor culturally Thai and will never be.

But it won't happen because Thailand will never give up those 3 provinces which they deemed as theirs's and part of their sovereignty.

over 20k people have died in the last 30 years and most of the world are unaware of the turmoil down south. most tourists and even expats are clueless of the situation.

Edited July 23Jul 23 by BayArea

8 minutes ago, BayArea said:

No they were not, but I assumed the OP meant since all 5 provinces are predominantly Malay and Muslim as well.

regarding the violence, I think it would help immensely in stopping the conflict. the 3 provinces can join the Malaysian state where their culture and religion are the same.

The residents in those said areas are not Buddhists nor culturally Thai and will never be.

But it won't happen because Thailand will never give up those 3 provinces which they deemed as theirs's and part of their sovereignty.

over 20k people have died in the last 30 years and most of the world are unaware of the turmoil down south. most tourists and even expats are clueless of the situation.

Has anybody asked Malaysia if they want them? Is Satun and Songkhla predominantly muslim?

"In 1897 Satun became part of Monthon Syburi (now Kedah), which in 1909 was divided between British Empire and Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909. While most of Kedah was ceded to Britain, Satun was awarded to Siam because it had a relatively large Thai population."

"The ethnic makeup of Songkhla primarily consists of the Thai ethnic group, which makes up about 91.5% of the population." What is predominantly muslim Malay about 91.5% being Thai." Well may be Thai Muslims but is that any reason to give Songklha to Malaysia. I assume back in 1909 the ratios would have been different.

12 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

Has anybody asked Malaysia if they want them? Is Satun and Songkhla predominantly muslim?

"In 1897 Satun became part of Monthon Syburi (now Kedah), which in 1909 was divided between British Empire and Siam as part of Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909. While most of Kedah was ceded to Britain, Satun was awarded to Siam because it had a relatively large Thai population."

"The ethnic makeup of Songkhla primarily consists of the Thai ethnic group, which makes up about 91.5% of the population." What is predominantly muslim Malay about 91.5% being Thai." Well may be Thai Muslims but is that any reason to give Songklha to Malaysia. I assume back in 1909 the ratios would have been different.

thx for the clarification. as I posted, the OP assumed all 5 provinces were the same in religious and cultural background.

as I mentioned, the 3 provinces, not 5 could join Malaysia. just for debate sake, I think Malaysia would gladly take those 3 provinces in to enhance their world status as a desired country as well as increase their Muslim and Malay population since they only account for 57% of the Malaysian state.

1 hour ago, BayArea said:

thx for the clarification. as I posted, the OP assumed all 5 provinces were the same in religious and cultural background.

as I mentioned, the 3 provinces, not 5 could join Malaysia. just for debate sake, I think Malaysia would gladly take those 3 provinces in to enhance their world status as a desired country as well as increase their Muslim and Malay population since they only account for 57% of the Malaysian state.

You think Malaysia would welcome a bunch of people who are willing to kill innocent civilians in order to further their cause? I'm not so sure.

And I don't think having those people among their population would enhance their status as a desired country.

But I don't speak for Malaysia 🤷‍♂️

11 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

Maniacs and they will never ever stop just the same as Palestine.

Sometimes I think Thailand would be better off just giving them the 3 provinces down there.

These rangers were just peacefully doing their job.All looked just ordinary blokes.

The world is without a doubt a sxxttier place now and there seems to be only one common denominator .

Exactly what I am proposing: Patani Autonomous Region. Oblast, if you prefer.

4 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

Do you think it would actually stop the violence? Why Satun and Songkhla? Were they ever disputed provinces?

Both have majority support for Patani as a unified state even though they were not in the region that was split apart.

2 hours ago, BayArea said:

No they were not, but I assumed the OP meant since all 5 provinces are predominantly Malay and Muslim as well.

regarding the violence, I think it would help immensely in stopping the conflict. the 3 provinces can join the Malaysian state where their culture and religion are the same.

The residents in those said areas are not Buddhists nor culturally Thai and will never be.

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But it won't happen because Thailand will never give up those 3 provinces which they deemed as theirs's and part of their sovereignty.

over 20k people have died in the last 30 years and most of the world are unaware of the turmoil down south. most tourists and even expats are clueless of the situation.

I certainly don't advocate joining Malaysia just because they are majority Muslim. Every Muslim I've talked to in Thailand about this issue, including in the Southern provinces, feel they are Thai first, Muslim second.

To wit, no wats or monks have been attacked. It appears those provinces are tolerant of Buddhist culture as a minority.

We are not talking about a theocrazy.

10 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I certainly don't advocate joining Malaysia just because they are majority Muslim. Every Muslim I've talked to in Thailand about this issue, including in the Southern provinces, feel they are Thai first, Muslim second.

that's quite interesting. I would like to see a survey taken on this topic.

6 hours ago, BayArea said:

No they were not, but I assumed the OP meant since all 5 provinces are predominantly Malay and Muslim as well.

regarding the violence, I think it would help immensely in stopping the conflict. the 3 provinces can join the Malaysian state where their culture and religion are the same.

The residents in those said areas are not Buddhists nor culturally Thai and will never be.

But it won't happen because Thailand will never give up those 3 provinces which they deemed as theirs's and part of their sovereignty.

over 20k people have died in the last 30 years and most of the world are unaware of the turmoil down south. most tourists and even expats are clueless of the situation.

I agree,although there are many Buddhists ,20% roughly.Those 3 provinces are like a different country.They play their own national anthem and the ladies dress accordingly.

The death cult that these people follow will never cease.

Give them up Thailand.

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I certainly don't advocate joining Malaysia just because they are majority Muslim. Every Muslim I've talked to in Thailand about this issue, including in the Southern provinces, feel they are Thai first, Muslim second.

GeographicReference

To wit, no wats or monks have been attacked. It appears those provinces are tolerant of Buddhist culture as a minority.

We are not talking about a theocrazy.

If that is true,that makes South East Asian Muslims different to the rest of their faith who are Muslim first.

A Mayalsian dude once told me I would like Mayalsa because driving there is much more civilized than Thailand. I laughed.

Besides nice orderly roads what does Mayalsa offer that Thailand doesn't?

The silence was gloriously deafening.

You could hear a pin drop. 😄

6 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

I agree,although there are many Buddhists ,20% roughly.Those 3 provinces are like a different country.They play their own national anthem and the ladies dress accordingly.

The death cult that these people follow will never cease.

Give them up Thailand.

You're contradicting yourself. First you say, it's like a different country, then you call them a death cult!

17 hours ago, Keeenok Powell said:

If that is true,that makes South East Asian Muslims different to the rest of their faith who are Muslim first.

Malaysia’s Constitutional Definition of “Malay” and the Muslim Requirement

Under Article 160 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, a “Malay” is defined as a person who:

• Professes the religion of Islam

• Habitually speaks the Malay language

• Conforms to Malay customs

This may be the case for Malay Muslims in southern Thailand, but it is quite different for Malays in Malaysia.

On 7/23/2026 at 8:24 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Massacre? You mean like Tak Bai?

Thai military must leave Patani and let it govern itself as an autonomous state in Thailand. Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

How about, you leave Thailand and allow Thailand to rule itself. You are constantly lecturing us about international law and the rule of law, so why don't you follow your own moralizing edicts. The borders are already established and recognized. They are incontestable. Malaysia has made no claim to the area andrecognizes Thailand's control and sovereignty of the region and accepts the Anglo-Siamese treaty of 1909. That same agreement s what transferred control of a large chunk of the region held and/or claimed by Thailand, at that time, to present day Malaysia. The old Sultanate does not exist and has no continuing legal legacy that continues. A small group of violent thugs is trying to force its political positions on the population who do not want to be ruled by an Islamic dictatorship. There is no popular support for an Islamic state in the south of Thailand.

I spent a lot of time in Malaysia in the '00 decade.

A new PM came in (after decades!) and talked of "Islam Hadari" (modern Islam), a lead balloon that after a few months was never mentioned again -- can you imagine The Pope declaring a thing could bring about, say, Catholic priests being allowed to marry? If nothing else, it seemed to give a boost to the fundamentalist political party.

In the press, if you read the details of articles you may come across the existence of private armies with a nationalist/religious bent, but such never makes the headlines. Soldiers are salaried employees. They seemed to be stationed in the Malaysian states along the east coast near to the Thai border.

One thing Malaysia has that LOS does not is an (officially) multi-tiered legal system.

As a cab driver who worked the Sadao border told me: the good thing about the Thai LE is they just want the money and then they go away. Malay cops will kick your ass, they love doing choke-holds, just for the fun of it.

18 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

A Mayalsian dude once told me I would like Mayalsa because driving there is much more civilized than Thailand. I laughed.

Besides nice orderly roads what does Mayalsa offer that Thailand doesn't?

The silence was gloriously deafening.

You could hear a pin drop. 😄

Malyasians as a whole are better educated and more advanced than Thais. This is reflected by Malaysia's lower rate of poverty (40% lower) and higher GNI (70% higher).

Malaysia also offers delicious food.

On 7/23/2026 at 8:44 AM, Keeenok Powell said:

Yes,cowardly massacre that could involve dead kids.

Dead muslim kids. I think you should organize a protest. Maybe Greta can organize a freedom flotilla.

29 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Malyasians as a whole are better educated and more advanced than Thais. This is reflected by Malaysia's lower rate of poverty (40% lower) and higher GNI (70% higher).

Malaysia also offers delicious food.

just curious, are we talking about ethnic Malay in particular or we including Indians and Chinese too when discussing " Malaysian" education?