Pattani: A bomb exploded in a ranger vehicle, killing one person, injuring three people, and injuring another villager. Unrest in the South: Bomb planted on an officer's vehicle in Pattani Province, killing one ranger, injuring three, and injuring one villager. In Narathiwat, perpetrators planted a bomb on a villager's vehicle before ambushing and shooting a ranger, killing one.
According to Thai News Agency, the perpetrators planted a bomb in an official's pickup truck in Ban Na Phrao, Village No. 2, Panare District, Pattani Province. Four soldiers were trapped in the vehicle and injured: Lieutenant Aphichat Phaphan, 39 years old, who was seriously injured and later died; Sergeant Major Zulkefli Maiding, 45 years old, who was seriously injured; Volunteer Ranger Pride Yusoh, 33 years old, who was injured; and Volunteer Ranger Masufi Waeteh, 28 years old, who was injured by the force of the bomb. In addition to the rangers, one villager who happened to be driving by was also slightly injured.
Investigating the scene, officers found a bomb crater and shrapnel strewn across the road. The bomb is believed to be an improvised explosive device contained in a gas cylinder hidden under the road. When the officers saw the vehicle driving by, they immediately detonated the bomb. Officers believe that this incident was the work of an insurgent group that knew the officers' movements before committing the crime.
In a related incident in Narathiwat, perpetrators planted a bomb in a dense forest by the roadside. When they saw villagers riding a motorcycle through Rueso District, they detonated the bomb. However, the explosion did not injure any villagers. The villagers rode their motorcycles to the rangers who had set up a checkpoint not far away to ask for help. However, while the officers were asking questions, another group of perpetrators who had been hiding in the fence of the villagers opposite the base opened fire on the officers, resulting in a three-minute clash. When the gunfire stopped, it was discovered that volunteer ranger Maitri Buddha, who was on duty at the checkpoint, had been shot in the head by the perpetrators and died at the hospital.
The authorities believe that the perpetrators planned this incident well, namely, to arrange for one team to plant the bomb and another team to ambush the rangers in front of the base because they were confident that after the bomb was planted, the villagers would go to ask for help from the authorities, which would be the right time to attack the authorities.