Five soldiers killed in southern Thailand checkpoint attack

By AFP

First published on 23 July 2026.

The southern border provinces of Thailand have been plagued by a separatist insurgency since 2004, driven by ethnic Malay Muslim groups seeking greater autonomy.

Five Thai paramilitary soldiers died and six civilians were injured in an attack on a security checkpoint in the country's insurgency-hit south, the army reported.

The incident occurred Wednesday evening at the Buketa Sami checkpoint in Narathiwat province.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 items

• list 1 of 4Cambodians struggle with displaced lives amid tense ceasefire with Thailand
• list 2 of 4Who is fighting in Myanmar’s multi-front civil war?
• list 3 of 4Thai police disguised in dancing lion costume arrest wanted man
• list 4 of 4Cambodian PM says Thailand occupying ‘deep’ territory after ceasefire

end of list

Attackers used firearms and pipe bombs against members of Task Force Ranger Regiment 45 who were guarding the area, the army stated. No group has claimed responsibility, and no arrests have been announced.

The army paid tribute to the soldiers, saying their “service and sacrifice will be remembered and honoured with the highest respect”.

The attack was one of the deadliest against Thai security forces in recent years and comes amid renewed concern over violence in the country’s southern border provinces.

The checkpoint assault came a day after a car bomb exploded outside the former Tanyong police station elsewhere in Narathiwat, injuring an officer and damaging the building.

Police were searching for two suspects seen fleeing on a motorcycle after Tuesday’s bombing. It was the first car bombing recorded in the southern border region this year, according to Thailand’s The Nation.

Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces are predominantly populated by ethnic Malay Muslims and have been at the centre of an armed separatist conflict since 2004. More than 7,000 people have been killed, including civilians, security personnel and fighters.

Formal talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, the main separatist group, were expected to resume in June after a rise in violence. The negotiations have struggled to resolve disagreements over self-government, security measures and political representation.

The attack is one of the deadliest against security forces in recent years, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region. Formal peace talks between the Thai government and the main separatist group, Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), were due to resume in June after a rise in violence, but negotiations have stalled over disagreements on self-governance and security. The preceding car bombing on Tuesday was the first recorded in the area this year, raising concerns of an escalation. With over 7,000 killed since the conflict began, the latest incidents highlight the fragile security situation and the urgent need for a political resolution.