Five soldiers killed in bomb attack in Thailand’s restive south

Five Thai soldiers died in a coordinated bomb and shooting attack at a checkpoint in the insurgency-hit southern province of Narathiwat on July 22. Six civilians were also wounded in the incident, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the region in years.

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Members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 “were killed when assailants opened fire and threw pipe bombs at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint... while they were on duty protecting local residents”

The assault occurred at the Bukeh Sami checkpoint as soldiers were on duty protecting local residents. Assailants opened fire and threw pipe bombs before fleeing the scene in a black pickup truck, according to local officials and army statements. Authorities have sealed off the area.

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while attacks in Thailand’s deep south mostly target security personnel, the incident on July 22 was “different in terms of death tolls and young civilians that were injured from crossfire”

Narathiwat province, one of three Muslim-majority provinces in the deep south, has been gripped by a separatist insurgency since 2004, which has claimed over 7,000 lives. While attacks often target security forces, this incident stands out due to the number of casualties and the injury of young civilians caught in the crossfire, according to a human rights researcher.

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Their service and sacrifice will be remembered and honoured with the highest respect.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and no arrests have been made. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut condemned the violence and urged the government to expedite efforts to identify and prosecute the suspects while providing assistance to the victims and their families.

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expedite efforts to identify and prosecute the suspects, while providing assistance to those affected and the families of the victims