INSURGENTS in the Far South continued their wave of attacks for the third night in a row with gunmen armed with war weapons storming a convenience store in Pattani before setting it on fire at around 8 p.m.(Aug. 24), Amarin TV said.
Firefighters were mobilised to control the blaze that engulfed the store in La-nga subdistrict, Mayo district, and prevent it from spreading to nearby houses.
Initial investigations revealed that at least 8-10 masked gunmen, armed with war weapons, entered the store and threatened employees and shoppers, ordering them to evacuate.
They then placed a suspicious object, believed to be a Molotov cocktail, in the middle of the store before fleeing. Shortly afterwards, a loud explosion occurred, sending flames soaring into the air before the blaze rapidly spread through the store, causing panic among residents in the area, with many rushing to seek shelter for safety.
Currently, the authorities have cordoned off the area and ordered the public and unauthorised persons to stay away due to concerns about remaining explosive devices or other dangers, and to prevent a second incident. Initially, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Earlier Col. Ekwirit Chobchuporn, deputy spokesperson of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward, said at a press briefing within the command’s headquarters in Pattani that the wave of attacks on Saturday and Sunday nights included arson, burning of tires and CCTV cameras, destruction of government and private property with public utilities also damaged, TV Channel 7 said.
The weekend attacks totalling 75 violent incidents occurred in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces. Eleven persons, six men and five women, were injured and 17 buildings plus 40 vehicles damaged.
Investigators, in collaboration with bomb disposal experts and security agencies, are currently gathering evidence to analyse the details of the incidents and expand the investigation to apprehend the perpetrators and others who may be involved.
Lt. Col. Cherd Aksornrat, director of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, said aside from 17 buildings and 40 vehicles being damaged, 32 power poles, a mobile phone tower and four CCTV cameras were also hit.
The centre is expediting assistance and compensation for those affected both physically and mentally with a “Communication and Relief Centre for Violence in the Southern Border Provinces” being established to serve as a coordinating mechanism between victims and government agencies.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: The convenience store in Pattani ablaze after an attack at 8 p.m. this evening, Aug. 24, 2026. Photos – Amarin TV
Earlier report and analysis:
Unrest in Far South aimed at replacing 4th Army Region Commander: Academic
Suspect nabbed in Narathiwat bombing spree; railway track being inspected
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