KUALA LUMPUR – A shooting and bombing incident outside the Sungai Golok District Office in Narathiwat, Thailand has led to the death of two defence volunteers yesterday evening. Thai authorities have confirmed that no Malaysians were involved in the attack.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 7.10pm local time (8.10pm Malaysian time), saw a group of armed men arriving in two four-wheel-drive vehicles before opening fire and hurling grenades at security personnel stationed outside the district office.
According to Sungai Golok deputy police chief Nitti Suksang, two defence volunteers died at the scene, while three others sustained serious injuries and five suffered minor wounds. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at Sungai Golok Hospital.
“In the attack, two members of the defence volunteers died on the spot while three others were seriously injured and five suffered light injuries,” Bernama reported.
Thai police reported that the assailants threw at least five grenades before detonating an explosive, triggering panic in the area. Security forces responded swiftly, securing the vicinity and launching an immediate investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and identify those responsible.
The attack took place along the Sungai Golok-Sungai Padi road near Big C, a well-known shopping centre frequented by Malaysians, NST reported a Thai police spokesman as saying.
“The assailants initially engaged in gunfire before detonating an explosive in front of the Sungai Golok district office.
“Two volunteers were killed and eight others were injured. The injured were rushed to Sungai Golok Hospital,” the spokesman said.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat confirmed that Malaysian authorities have ordered heightened surveillance, particularly at high-risk and illegal entry points, with constant monitoring.
“All police station chiefs and the General Operations Force have been ordered to step up control in high-risk areas, especially illegal entry points with round-the-clock surveillance,” he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Sungai Golok authorities have been reinforcing security measures since the beginning of Ramadan with acting district chief Dusit Kongsuk posting on his Facebook that regular checkpoints would be replaced with security posts to facilitate movement for religious activities while ensuring safety.
“In rural areas, security posts will be set up at night with the involvement of local leaders and security personnel from all three forces.
These measures involve cooperation between multiple security forces and local communities to mitigate potential threats.
Residents in the affected area have been advised to avoid certain routes while security agencies continue their inspections. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward as efforts to track down the perpetrators intensify. – March 9, 2025