Checkpoint assault in Narathiwat kills five paramilitary soldiers amid escalating southern conflict
The attack on the Buketa Sami checkpoint follows a car bombing earlier in the week, raising concerns over the security situation in Thailand’s southern border regions where separatist tensions remain high.
Five Thai paramilitary soldiers were killed and six civilians wounded during an assault on the Buketa Sami security checkpoint in Narathiwat province on Wednesday evening. The army confirmed that members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 were targeted with gunfire and pipe bombs while guarding the area. Authorities have not announced any arrests, and no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The army issued a statement paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, noting that their service and sacrifice would be remembered and honoured with the highest respect. The incident has been described as one of the deadliest attacks against Thai security forces in recent years, underscoring the persistent volatility in the region.
This violence follows a car bomb explosion outside the former Tanyong police station in Narathiwat on Tuesday, which injured a police officer and damaged the building. Police are currently searching for two suspects seen fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. According to Thailand’s The Nation, the Tuesday incident marked the first car bombing recorded in the southern border region this year, though authorities have not explicitly linked the two attacks.
The southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala are predominantly populated by ethnic Malay Muslims and have been the centre of an armed separatist conflict since 2004. More than 7,000 people have been killed in the conflict, including civilians, security personnel, and fighters. The recent surge in violence has renewed concerns regarding the stability of the border areas and the effectiveness of current security measures.
Formal peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the main separatist group, were expected to resume in June following a rise in violence. However, negotiations have struggled to resolve deep-seated disagreements over self-government, security arrangements, and political representation. The latest attacks occur as the government faces pressure to address the ongoing unrest and find a viable path toward a political settlement.
