Wartani_English (2026)

12/03/2026

Tension During Body Retrieval After Ban Prang Siege; Relatives Question Transport Procedure
11 March 2026 A commotion occurred during the retrieval of a deceased person’s body following a siege–clash incident in Ban Prang, Tha Kam Cham Subdistrict, Nong Chik District, Pattani Province, after the autopsy had been completed.
According to reports, relatives and local residents had prepared a vehicle to transport the body back to the deceased’s hometown. However, authorities arranged their own vehicle to handle the transfer, leading to confusion and suspicion among family members and villagers, who believed the officials’ duties had already concluded and that the family should be allowed to take the body themselves. This disagreement escalated into a heated exchange and a chaotic situation between officials and civilians at the scene.
The overall atmosphere remains tense. Civil society activists have expressed concern that the situation could escalate further, urging all parties to exercise restraint, remain calm, and respect the rights of the bereaved family to prevent violence and maintain peace in the area.
Authorities are currently monitoring and controlling the situation closely, and no official statement has yet been issued regarding the incident.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

11/03/2026

One Patani Armed Movement Fighter Killed After Four-Hour Clash With Thai Troops in Pattani
PATTANI, Thailand, March 11, 2026 — One fighter from the Patani armed movement was killed after a four-hour gun battle with Thai security forces during a cordon-and-search operation in Nong Chik district of Pattani province on Wednesday evening, local sources said.
The operation took place in Kampung Perang village, Tha Kamcham sub-district, after Thai troops received information that a suspected member of an armed movement was hiding in a house in the area.
According to local reports, the confrontation began at around 3:35 p.m. when security forces moved in to surround the location. An exchange of gunfire followed and continued for several hours until about 8:00 p.m., when the sounds of gunfire and explosions subsided.
After the situation was brought under control, Thai soldiers entered the area and found the body of an armed man at the scene.
The deceased was identified as Muhammad Syukri, 26, from Khlong Chang village in Na Khet sub-district, Khok Pho district, Pattani province. His family name was withheld.
Authorities said weapons recovered at the scene included an M16 rifle, a pistol and an improvised explosive device (IED) made from a pipe bomb.
The items were seized as evidence and will be handed over to relevant Thai military authorities for further investigation in accordance with legal procedures.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

21/01/2026

Yala court acquits cleric in harbouring case, citing insufficient evidence.
YALA, Jan 21, 2026 — A court in Thailand’s southern province of Yala on Wednesday acquitted Islamic cleric Hasan Yamadeebu, widely known as Ustaz Hasan, of charges related to harbouring suspects, ruling that prosecutors had failed to present sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
In its ruling, the Yala Provincial Court said the testimony of witnesses and the material evidence presented by the prosecution did not establish the elements of the offence as charged, leading the court to dismiss the case and acquit the defendant at the trial court level.
Despite the acquittal, the case remains subject to appeal within the legal timeframe. As a result, the court said the defendant must continue to undergo further legal procedures and apply for temporary release while awaiting possible appellate proceedings.
The court approved temporary release under existing bail conditions, allowing the defendant to remain free on a cash bond of 70,000 baht pending any appeal.
The case has drawn continued attention from human rights observers and local communities, particularly in relation to the enforcement of security laws and the administration of justice in Thailand’s southern border provinces.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

20/01/2026

UPDATE : One Armed Man Killed in Security Operation and Clash in Yala, Thai Authorities Say
YALA, Jan 20, 2026 — One armed man was killed during a cordon-and-search operation that escalated into a gun battle between Thai security forces and an armed group in the Sateng Nok area of Muang Yala district early on Tuesday, security sources said.
Authorities informed the victim’s family at around 11:00 a.m. that the deceased was identified as Nasarullah Sama, 37, a resident of Village 3 in the Yupo sub-district of Muang district, Yala province.
The operation began at around 12:20 a.m. in Soi DD 2, Por Yani village, Sateng Nok sub-district, when security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation before an exchange of gunfire broke out with an armed group. The clash resulted in the death of one member of the group, officials said.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command said the deceased was suspected of being linked to recent bombings and arson attacks on fuel stations in Yala province. Further investigations are under way, a spokesperson said.
Authorities added that security operations in the area had not yet concluded and that no further details were being released at this stage.
As of 2:12 p.m., officials confirmed that Nasarullah Sama’s body had been transferred to Yala Central Hospital for further procedures.
Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

20/01/2026

Security Operation Triggers Clash in Sateng Nok Area of Yala.
YALA, Jan 20, 2026 — A cordon-and-search operation by Thai security forces triggered an armed clash with an unidentified group in the Sateng Nok area of Muang Yala district early on Tuesday, local sources said.
According to initial information, the incident began at around 12:20 a.m. in Soi DD 2, Por Yani village, Village 3, Sateng Nok sub-district, when security forces launched a cordon operation before an exchange of gunfire broke out. The clash was reported to have continued for several hours.
Since early morning, authorities have sealed off and tightly controlled the area to ensure public safety and to facilitate ongoing security operations.
At around 8:30 a.m., local residents reported intermittent gunfire could still be heard, indicating that the security operation had not fully concluded and that heightened security measures remained in place.
As of the time of this report, no official statement has been issued by security agencies regarding any injuries or fatalities resulting from the incident. Authorities are expected to release further information once the situation is confirmed to be fully under control.
Further developments will be reported as they become available.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

15/01/2026

Thai military releases detainee after chronic illness worsens, rights group says
PATANI, Jan 14, 2026 — Thailand’s military has released a 25-year-old man detained under emergency laws in the country’s southern border provinces after his chronic illness worsened, a local rights group said on Wednesday.
The Jaringan Mangsa Dari Undang-undang Darurat (JASAD), a network representing victims of emergency laws, said the detainee, identified as Muhammad Alif, was freed after his health deteriorated, including a significant rise in liver enzyme levels that required urgent medical treatment at Pattani Hospital.
According to JASAD, Muhammad Alif, a resident of Village 2 in Bang Khao sub-district, Nong Chik district, Pattani province, was detained on Jan. 9 while leaving Pattani Hospital after receiving treatment for gallstones. He was held under special security laws and transferred to Ingkhayut Borihan military camp in Nong Chik district for temporary detention.
On the fourth day of detention, Jan. 13, Muhammad Alif suffered severe abdominal pain overnight due to complications from pre-existing conditions, the group said. Medical examinations found his liver enzyme levels had risen sharply, prompting authorities to take him to Ingkhayut Borihan Camp Hospital for treatment.
He was later taken to Nong Chik police station for release documentation before being referred back to Pattani Hospital for further medical care.
Muhammad Alif was held for four days in total before being released on health grounds. JASAD welcomed the decision, saying authorities had freed an individual found to have no links to any wrongdoing, and called for the return of all seized personal belongings.
The group said it would continue to monitor his recovery and rehabilitation, including any long-term physical and mental health impacts, and urged authorities to uphold civilian rights and human dignity in the enforcement of special security laws in the conflict-affected region.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

11/01/2026

Bomb Attack Targets Local Government Officer’s Vehicle, One Injured in Narathiwat
NARATHIWAT, Jan 11, 2026 — A bomb attack targeting a pickup truck occurred at around 8:33 a.m. in Kijang Mas Village, Village No. 4, Golok Subdistrict, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province, leaving one local government officer injured. Police and security personnel were immediately deployed to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Preliminary findings at the site, located on a bend along the Kijang Mas village road, revealed a blast crater on the roadside measuring approximately 30 centimeters deep and 50 centimeters wide. Authorities suspect the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted and detonated from a forested area beside the road.
At the scene, a bronze-silver four-door Toyota pickup truck bearing Narathiwat license plate กจ 3319 was found damaged, with a dented rear left door and shattered windows caused by the blast wave. The driver was identified as Mr. Natchaphak Ramchuai, 53, an administrative officer with the Kholo Subdistrict Administrative Organization (TAO). He sustained injuries to the muscles of his left shoulder and suffered temporary hearing impairment.
Following the attack, the victim reportedly drove approximately one kilometer away from the area to seek assistance from local residents before being transported to Waeng Hospital for further treatment.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

11/01/2026

Coordinated Bomb and Arson Attacks Hit PTT Fuel Stations in Southern Thailand
PATANI, Jan 11, 2026 — Coordinated bomb and arson attacks struck more than 10 PTT fuel stations across Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala early on Saturday, security officials said.
The attacks occurred at around 1:10 a.m. local time and caused large fires and explosions, damaging multiple fuel stations and prompting panic in nearby communities. No immediate details were available on casualties.
Preliminary assessments showed that five stations were damaged in Narathiwat, two in Pattani and three in Yala. The targeted sites included stations in Cho Ai Rong, Chanae, Sungai Kolok, Waeng and Ra-ngae districts in Narathiwat; Kapo and Muang Pattani districts in Pattani; and Kabang, Muang Yala and Raman districts in Yala.
Security forces said the attackers’ identities and numbers remain unknown.
Military personnel, police and local administrative officials, supported by firefighting units, were deployed to secure the areas and extinguish the fires. Authorities have raised security to the highest level and sealed off the affected locations, barring public access while explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams conduct inspections.
Investigations are ongoing.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

03/11/2025

[ News ]

Wartani Press Statement

Subject: Legal Action Against Seven Individuals, Including Wartani Field Reporter, Over Coverage of Extrajudicial Killing in Thanto District, Yala/Patani

On October 30, 2025, the Yala Provincial Prosecutor filed charges against seven defendants in the Yala Provincial Court, one of whom is Mr. Muhammad Hafizi Salae, a field reporter for Wartani. The group faces accusations of “obstructing official duties” following their live coverage of an extrajudicial killing that took place in Ban Mayo, Mae Wat Subdistrict, Thanto District, Yala Province, on February 21, 2023.

The prosecutor had postponed the filing several times before the case was finally accepted by the court under Criminal Case No. Or. 939/2025, with the Yala Provincial Prosecutor as plaintiff and Mr. Muhammad Hafizi Salae and six others as defendants.
As a community-based media organization committed to reporting the truth and holding state authorities accountable, Wartani issues the following position statement:

1. Wartani affirms that the reporting was a legitimate exercise of professional journalism.
The live broadcast on the day of the incident was an act of public-interest reporting, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability regarding a state operation. The coverage was conducted without any intent to interfere with or obstruct law enforcement.

2. Wartani views the prosecution of journalists and civilians in this case as a violation of press freedom and the public’s right to information.

In the Patani/Southern Border Provinces, access to reliable information remains limited. Field reporters therefore play a vital role in documenting ground realities from the people’s perspective.

The use of law to intimidate or prosecute journalists fosters a climate of fear and undermines press freedom especially for those reporting in good faith and in the public interest.

3. Wartani calls on state authorities to respect press freedom and cease using legal mechanisms to suppress independent reporting.

Wartani stresses that coverage of violent incidents must be protected under international human rights standards, and that Thailand, as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is obliged to uphold freedom of expression and the right to communicate information.

4. Wartani remains steadfast in its mission to pursue truth and promote peace in Patani.
We will continue to report every incident with accuracy, integrity, and respect for human dignity because “truth is the path to lasting peace.”
Wartani expresses gratitude to all supporters including members of the public, media networks, and human rights organizations who continue to monitor and stand in solidarity with the seven defendants.
We invite fellow journalists and interested individuals to attend and witness the court proceedings, as the Yala Provincial Court has scheduled the rights protection hearing for November 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

Wartani News Agency
October 30, 2025
Yala / Patani

Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI
ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี
Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

16/10/2025

[ News ]

Gaza Hospital Reports Signs of Torture on Returned Palestinian Bodies Former Prisoners Describe Severe Abuse in Israeli Jails

On October 15, 2025, the Associated Press (AP) reported that Al-Nasser Hospital in the Gaza Strip had received the first batch of 45 Palestinian bodies returned by Israel. The hospital stated that it expects to receive more than 450 additional bodies in the coming days.

According to hospital staff, the bodies belong to Palestinians who were detained by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023, and died while in custody. In its statement, the hospital revealed that:

“Some bodies show clear signs of torture, and several were found with their hands tied behind their backs.”
It remains unclear when and under what circumstances the detainees were killed.

At the same time, Palestinian doctors and recently released detainees have reported widespread physical and psychological abuse inside Israeli prisons.

Dr. Imed Al-Shami, a physician at the Palestinian Medical Complex (PMC) in Ramallah, told AP:

“Many of those released display injuries consistent with prolonged torture extensive bruises and multiple fractures indicating severe mistreatment during detention.”
Kamal Abu Shanab, a former prisoner who spent over 18 years behind bars, recounted his ordeal:

“I was beaten until my shoulder was torn, and for eight months I was denied even a single painkiller.”
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) issued a statement denying all allegations, insisting that Israel treats all detainees in accordance with human rights standards.

This development follows a recent prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas earlier this week, in which around 2,000 Palestinians were released. However, more than 9,100 Palestinians remain imprisoned under harsh conditions and severe restrictions on basic rights.

Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

16/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Armed Clash in Sai Buri, Pattani Leaves One Suspected Gunman and One EOD Officer Dead

On October 15, 2025, at around 5:30 p.m., a security operation and ensuing gunfight occurred in Ban Pa Thung Village, Moo 4, Bang Kao Subdistrict, Sai Buri District, Pattani Province.

Security forces launched a search and cordon operation around the Attarbittul Hadisah Islamic School (Pondok) after receiving intelligence on the presence of armed suspects in the area.

During the operation, officers detained Mr. Surhafizi (surname withheld), a 29-year-old resident of Mai Kaen District, and seized one firearm as evidence.

Authorities then expanded the search to a hut located behind the school, where members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and Sai Buri Police Investigation Unit entered to inspect the premises.

As officers opened a wardrobe inside the hut, they encountered a suspect hiding inside, who opened fire at close range.

Pol. Sgt. Maj. Somsak Naksen, an EOD officer, sustained critical injuries and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Security personnel returned fire, resulting in the death of the armed suspect. Authorities are now working to confirm the suspect’s identity.

Before the operation began, officers evacuated students from the Pondok school to Ban Pa Thung School via bus for safety, as the clash occurred within the school compound.

Further details will be reported once available.

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Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI
ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี
Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

16/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Three Police Officers Injured in Bomb Attack in Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat

On October 16, 2025, at around 8:55 a.m., an explosion occurred in front of Pi Nee Tea Shop, Moo 1, Yi-ngo Subdistrict, Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat Province, near Yi-ngo Temple.

The blast caused damage to nearby areas and injured three police officers from Yi-ngo Police Station.

Authorities have cordoned off the area and are investigating the scene. Further details will be reported once available.

Let us be the witnesses for peace in PATANI // ร่วมเป็นสักขีพยานเพื่อสันติภาพ ณ ปาตานี // Bersama kita menjadi saksi demi kedamaian di PATANI

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