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The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has revealed the underlying cause behind the recent shooting that targeted Buddhist monks and novices in Saba Yoi district, Songkhla province, resulting in the death of one novice and injuries to two others.
The attack occurred on Tuesday (April 22) morning, when assailants opened fire on a 4-door pickup truck driven by Pol Lt Watthana Chumapan, a police officer from Saba Yoi Police Station. The vehicle was transporting six monks and novices on their morning alms round.Novice monk Wongsakorn, 16, Watthana’s son, succumbed to his injuries, while novice monk Phokanit, 12, and senior monk Boonsong, 70, sustained minor injuries.
Lt Gen Surathep Nukaew, Director of Coordination Centre 5 under ISOC, on Wednesday revealed that the shooting could be linked to a recent wave of violence targeting civilians in the Southern region.
According to Surathep, the violence stems from the April 18 shooting of Abdulroning Latheh, a former ustaz (Islamic teacher), in Su-Ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat province. Following his death, misinformation spread rapidly through both word-of-mouth and online channels associated with separatist movements, alleging state involvement due to Latheh’s past record with security agencies.
"After Latheh was shot, false narratives quickly emerged blaming the authorities," explained Surathep. “This misinformation campaign was part of an internal rift within the BRN separatist movement — a power struggle between old and new leadership factions. The conflict led to retaliatory attacks, particularly targeting Buddhists, as a provocative response.”
While some BRN leaders reportedly disagreed with these violent tactics, the spread of rumors triggered immediate retaliatory operations, including the shooting of monks and novices at Wat Guhra in Saba Yoi, Songkhla province, and attacks in Waeng district, Narathiwat province.
Regarding the bomb attack on April 20 near the fence of Khok Khian Police Station in Narathiwat, which injured several Muslim students, ISOC believes it was likely a mistake. Such incidents harm the militants' public support, and the group has since faced condemnation from multiple parties.
