4th Army Commander Denies Helicopter Shooting Claims

Khaosod•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok denies claims of helicopter shootings, attributing such reports to attempts to discredit state officials.

•Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok denied that ammunition was fired from helicopters on August 23, 2026.
•Security forces conducted searches and pressured insurgent groups in the three southern border provinces from late July to mid-August.
•Authorities seized over 2,000,000 illegal cigarettes and approximately 18 million baht in cash in Yarang District.

Overview

•Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok denied claims of shooting from helicopters, asserting that if automatic weapons were used, the targets would not have survived.
•Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok confirmed that helicopters and drones were used for patrolling, but no weapons were discharged.
•Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok described the shooting claims as an attempt to discredit the performance of state officials.
•From late July to mid-August, security forces implemented sealing and searching measures to pressure insurgent groups in the three southern border provinces.
•Security forces executed the 90-Day War on Drugs Operation, resulting in numerous drug arrests.
•In mid-August, authorities in Yarang District arrested an illegal trade network and seized over 2,000,000 illegal cigarettes and approximately 18 million baht in cash.
•Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok assessed that illegal trade values reach hundreds of millions of baht monthly, potentially motivating disadvantaged groups to retaliate against the state.
•ISOC Region 4 will continue to investigate all cases thoroughly and strictly enforce laws against illegal border trade and drugs.

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Key Quotes

Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok

"There was certainly no use of ammunition from helicopters."

ไม่มีการใช้กระสุนจากเฮลิคอปเตอร์อย่างแน่นอน

Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok

"These things are funding sources for the unrest movements and involve protection fees; therefore, it is possible that disadvantaged groups may try to create situations to retaliate against state officials."

สิ่งเหล่านี้คือแหล่งเงินทุนของขบวนการ ก่อความไม่สงบและมีการเรียกเก็บค่าคุ้มครอง จึงเป็นไปได้ว่ากลุ่มผู้เสียผลประโยชน์อาจพยายามสร้างสถานการณ์ตอบโต้เจ้าหน้าที่รัฐ

Key Entities

Person

Lt. Gen. Narathip Phoynok(พล.ท.นรธิป โพยนอก)

The 4th Army Region Commander and Director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4.

Organization

ISOC Region 4(กอ.รมน.ภาค 4)

The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 responsible for security in the southern region.

Place

Three Southern Border Provinces(สามจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้)

The area where security forces conducted searches and pressure against insurgent groups.

Yarang District(อำเภอยะรัง)ℹ️

The location where authorities arrested an illegal trade network and seized cigarettes and cash.

Policy

90-Day War on Drugs Operation(ยุทธการ 90 วันพิฆาตยาเสพติด)

An operation conducted by security forces to arrest drug offenders and seize narcotics.