Wartani_English (2025)

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.

.

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

15/10/2025

[ Politics ]

Romadon Panjor: “Blue Cabinet Extends Emergency Decree for the 82nd Time — Two Decades of Ongoing Crisis in Patani”

On October 14, 2025, opposition MP Romadon Panjor questioned the government’s continued failure to resolve the southern conflict, after the Cabinet approved the 82nd extension of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, which remains in force across 17 districts in the southern border provinces/Patani.

Romadon stated on his page that this marks the first decision on the decree under the “Blue Cabinet,” extending the state of emergency for another three months from October 20, 2025, to January 19, 2026 bringing the measure into its 20th consecutive year.

He criticized the government for clinging to outdated security frameworks rather than prioritizing political solutions to the conflict, noting that the ongoing state of emergency reflects the ineffectiveness of successive administrations in addressing the root causes of unrest.

Romadon explained that despite attempts by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to expand the decree to include Saba Yoi District in Songkhla, the Emergency Situation Administration Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, rejected the proposal.

Currently, 17 of the 33 districts in the three southernmost provinces 9 in Narathiwat, 5 in Pattani, and 3 in Yala remain under the Emergency Decree, while the other 16 districts are designated as “Internal Security Areas” under the Internal Security Act (ISA). In addition, all three provinces remain subject to martial law, which has been continuously enforced since 2006.

Romadon described these overlapping legal regimes the Emergency Decree, the Internal Security Act, and martial law as the “three sibling laws” that collectively restrict citizens’ rights under the pretext of national security. He noted that the extension of such laws lies solely within the executive’s authority, with no parliamentary oversight, unlike in democratic systems where such measures require legislative approval.

He argued that the prolonged enforcement of these special laws demonstrates structural failure, as violence continues despite two decades of extraordinary measures. He questioned whether the persistence of violence is being used as justification to maintain these powers.

“The overlapping use of special laws is proof of the failure of past policies,” Romadon said. “The southern problem what many refer to as Patani must be addressed primarily through political means, not security control. Military and legal mechanisms must follow political directions, not obstruct them.”

He concluded by urging the government to show political courage and legitimacy in leading a genuine peace process, while expressing disappointment that such leadership has yet to emerge.

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

15/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Security Forces Conduct Raids in Su-ngai Padi; Three People Detained, Vehicles and Phones Seized

On October 15, 2025, at around 4:30 a.m., dozens of security officers in multiple vehicles conducted coordinated raids and searches across several locations in Su-ngai Padi District, Narathiwat Province. The operation began in the early morning hours and involved detailed inspections of targeted areas.

Authorities detained three individuals, identified as:
1.Mr. Asro (surname withheld), 25, resident of Paluru Subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi District

2.Mr. Ni-arifan (surname withheld), 24, resident of Paluru Subdistrict, Su-ngai Padi District

3.Mr. Anwa (surname withheld), 43, resident of Rom Sai Subdistrict, Sukhirin District

The three detainees were taken to Su-ngai Padi Police Station for further questioning. Officers also seized several items, including one motorcycle, one car, and multiple mobile phones.
Further details will be reported as the situation develops.

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

15/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Border Tightened in Su-ngai Kolok; 150M Baht for CCTV to Block Insurgent Crossings

On October 13, 2025, security agencies along the border of Narathiwat province have intensified measures to prevent individuals from illegally crossing the border through natural routes between Rantau Panjang, Kelantan (Malaysia) and Su-ngai Kolok district (Thailand). Reports indicate that certain insurgent groups have been using these informal paths to enter and exit the area following violent incidents.

According to field reports, Captain Thanaphon Phanphoch, commander of the 5th Border Defense Company, conducted an inspection and oversaw operations at six temporary crossing points Tha Ko Phai, Tha Rong Luea, Tha Prapa, Tha To Awae, Tha Che Kaseng, and Tha Chomphu within Su-ngai Kolok municipality. These areas are under close surveillance to monitor movement along the border.

Officials stated that these routes remain partially open for local residents to travel for daily livelihood purposes. However, authorities reiterated that safety cannot be guaranteed for those who violate cross-border regulations, emphasizing that the Malaysian government has been issuing repeated warnings for nearly a year.

For long-term prevention, the Thai government has allocated a 150-million-baht budget for the installation of CCTV surveillance systems covering the entire border area. The system will include both standard and infrared cameras to ensure day-and-night monitoring. The system will be manned by military personnel 24 hours a day. In addition to deterring insurgent activities, it is also expected to help curb drug smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.

During his field visit, Captain Thanaphon also visited Big C Su-ngai Kolok branch to offer moral support to staff at the Yaowarat Bangkok Gold Shop, which was robbed on October 9. The store has since reopened but has yet to resume displaying gold items for sale. Customers are now being invited to verify pawn records; the shop pledged to fully compensate anyone whose stolen items are found to be among those pawned.

At the same time, security forces have tightened safety measures in the area by installing bulletproof bunkers at the entrance to Big C and rotating patrol units from Su-ngai Kolok Police Station, Navy Task Force 33, and Volunteer Defense Corps to maintain around-the-clock presence aimed at restoring confidence among both Thai and Malaysian residents and visitors.

As for the gold robbery case, investigators have gathered sufficient evidence and issued arrest warrants for two suspects since October 9, with no new warrants issued at this time.

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

15/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Villager Shot Dead Near Ban Panan School in Mayo District, Pattani

On October 14, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., a shooting occurred near a motorcycle repair shop beside Ban Panan School, Moo 2, Panan Subdistrict, Mayo District, Pattani/Patani Province.

The incident left one man critically injured, identified as Mr. Maroso Sama, 21, a local resident of Moo 2, Panan Subdistrict. He was rushed to Pattani Hospital, but doctors later confirmed his death at around 6:00 a.m.

Police officers from Mayo Police Station and local security units are currently inspecting the scene, collecting evidence, and reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas to determine the identity and motive of the assailant.

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

15/10/2025

[ News ]

“The Assassination of Saleh Aljafarawi” A Dark Message to Every Palestinian Journalist

On October 14, 2025, Palestinians across the Gaza Strip were left in shock upon hearing news of the assassination of Saleh Aljafarawi, a well-known independent journalist and photographer who had become a symbol of citizen journalism during the Gaza war.

The killing occurred just hours after the announcement of a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups a moment many believed signaled the end of the war. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new “dark era of fear” in Gaza.

Saleh was widely loved among Gaza’s youth a cheerful young man who loved music and was often seen giving toys and sweets to children during Eid. Yet behind his warm smile stood a fearless journalist who documented the brutal realities of war through his camera lens.

Since 2018, he had worked independently, starting from the March of Return protests. By 2023, he had become one of Gaza’s most prominent front-line reporters, sharing videos and photographs on Instagram, where his following exceeded 10 million before his account was repeatedly suspended after exposing Israeli war crimes.

Saleh carried heavy burdens in his personal life: his mother, battling cancer, had to flee Gaza; his father was ill; and his brother had been “disappeared” by the Israeli army from Al-Shifa Hospital. Despite this, he continued to report daily amid explosions and collapsing buildings.

Just hours before his assassination, he posted a video expressing joy that the war had finally ended. That same night, he was abducted, beaten, and shot seven times in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood an area still known for the presence of armed groups suspected of collaborating with Israel.

His death devastated his family his father’s health deteriorated rapidly from grief, while his recently released brother fainted upon hearing the news.

The assassination sparked both anger and fear among Gaza’s journalists. Hundreds gathered to mourn him, calling his death not just the loss of another journalist but a “warning message” to all who continue to report the truth from Gaza.

Throughout the war, more than 250 journalists were killed mostly by Israeli forces while many others were arrested, threatened, or assassinated by armed factions allegedly linked to Israel. Even with troop withdrawals from some areas, “the shadow of violence” still hangs over Gaza.

“The message from Saleh’s assassination is clear: anyone who continues to report the truth about Gaza will be arrested, tortured, or killed,”

a field reporter in Gaza told Al Jazeera.
Yet, many journalists in Gaza vow to remain defiant.
“We are afraid, but we will not give up,”
said one journalism student.
Human rights organizations and international press unions are now being urged to establish protection mechanisms for Palestinian journalists, allowing them to report freely without risking their lives every time they pick up a camera.

“The world must not forget the name Saleh Aljafarawi. He did not die because of his camera he was killed because his camera captured the truth.”

Source: Al Jazeera Opinion, September 23, 2025

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

10/10/2025

[NEWS]

Hamas to Exchange 20 Israeli Hostages for Nearly 2,000 Palestinian Prisoners Under Trump’s Peace Plan

October 9, 2025 Hamas and the Israeli government have reached an agreement on the “first phase” of a ceasefire in Gaza, under the framework of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “20-Point Peace Plan,” aimed at ending hostilities and allowing humanitarian aid to enter the besieged enclave.

Trump announced that the deal brokered through Egyptian mediators will see Hamas release all remaining Israeli hostages, while Israel withdraws its forces from Gaza along agreed demarcation lines. Both sides are expected to formally sign the agreement by Thursday.

According to sources within the Palestinian resistance, Hamas will exchange 20 surviving Israeli captives for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and more than 1,700 detainees arrested since the war began in 2023. The list reportedly includes women and children, and the exchange is expected to begin within 72 hours of the agreement taking effect.

Documents outlining Trump’s peace plan stipulate that in cases involving the repatriation of remains, Israel must return 15 Palestinian bodies for every deceased Israeli hostage, to ensure a “balanced exchange.”

Hamas announced on its Telegram channel that it had already submitted the names of Palestinian prisoners to Israel for review and was awaiting official confirmation. The group emphasized that the agreement encompasses “an end to the war, troop withdrawal, humanitarian access, and prisoner exchange,” and called on the United States and other guarantor nations to ensure Israel’s compliance.

Notably, the prisoner list proposed by Hamas includes high-profile figures such as Marwan Barghouti, a leading Fatah figure, and Ahmad Sa’adat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) both serving life sentences and never previously included in prisoner swap negotiations. Analysts view their inclusion as a signal of Hamas’s intent to forge a “historic agreement” that could bring an end to the Gaza war.

Source: TRT World — Facebook

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

10/10/2025

[NEWS]

Netanyahu Claims ‘Victory Through Military Pressure,’ but Israelis See Him as an ‘Obstacle to Peace’

October 9, 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that recent progress toward a ceasefire in Gaza was the result of Israel’s “military pressure” and “continued proactive operations,” describing it as “a success in achieving the government’s goals set at the start of the war.”

However, Al Jazeera correspondent Hamdah Salhut reported that the reality on the ground tells a different story the ceasefire and release of hostages were achieved primarily through diplomatic negotiations, not military force, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, playing central roles in brokering the deal.

Netanyahu is currently under intense pressure both internationally as Israel faces growing condemnation as a “rogue state” and domestically, particularly from families of Israeli hostages who have been held in Gaza for over two years. Many families have staged weekly protests, accusing the government of inaction and demanding their loved ones’ release.
Numerous social media posts from hostage families have voiced frustration at the prime minister, repeating the phrase: “This is thanks to the U.S., not Netanyahu.” The sentiment reflects a widespread belief that recent diplomatic progress stems from external intervention, not Netanyahu’s leadership.

According to Al Jazeera, public discontent with Netanyahu has been building for months particularly after the failed ceasefire negotiations in July 2024, when he reportedly added new conditions that derailed the talks. That incident became a “breaking point of trust,” with many Israelis concluding that Netanyahu “does not seek to end the war but to prolong his grip on power.”

Although Netanyahu continues to present himself as the “victor” of Israel’s military campaign, Al Jazeera notes that his rhetoric appears to be a “political strategy” aimed at shoring up his weakening support base amid growing domestic unrest and international criticism.
If the current ceasefire deal succeeds, Netanyahu is expected to claim credit to strengthen his political standing. But if it fails, he could face the greatest crisis of legitimacy in his political career potentially marking the beginning of the end of the Netanyahu era.

Source: Facebook

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

10/10/2025

[ Instability ]

Bomb Explosion Near Railway Warning Sign in Khok Pho District, Pattani

On October 9, 2025, at 10:04 a.m., officers from Task Force 43 (ISOC Region 4) received a report of a bomb explosion near a railway warning sign along Highway 409, close to a cemetery (kubor) in Village No. 6, Na Pradu Subdistrict, Khok Pho District, Pattani Province.

The explosion caused minor damage to surrounding areas, and no injuries were reported.

Authorities have since cordoned off the area for safety and coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit from Task Force Anothai to conduct further investigation and gather evidence at the scene.
Additional details will be reported as they become available.

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