4th Army Region Commander Denies Helicopter Shooting Claims

Matichon•Politics•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok denies allegations of helicopter fire and attributes the claims to a plot to discredit state officials.

•Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok denied reports of shooting from helicopters on August 23, 2026.
•The 4th Army Region Commander stated that helicopters and drones were used for patrolling but not for attacking.
•State officials recently seized over 2,000,000 illegal cigarettes and approximately 18 million baht in Yarang District.
•The 4th Army Region Commander linked illegal trade networks to the funding of unrest movements.

Overview

•Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok confirmed that while helicopters and drones were used for patrolling, no weapons or ammunition were fired from helicopters to the ground.
•Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok asserted that if automatic weapons had been used from helicopters, the alleged targets would not have survived.
•Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok described the reports of helicopter shootings as an attempt to discredit the operations of state officials.
•State officials conducted continuous encirclement and search operations against insurgents in the three southern border provinces from late July to mid-August.
•State officials executed the 90-Day War on Drugs Operation, resulting in numerous drug seizures and arrests.
•State officials seized more than 2,000,000 illegal cigarettes and approximately 18 million baht from a smuggling network in Yarang District in mid-August.
•Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok evaluated that monthly illegal trade values may reach several hundred million baht, motivating affected groups to retaliate against state officials.
•The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 will continue to strictly enforce the law against border smuggling and narcotics without leniency.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok

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

ไม่มีการใช้กระสุนจากเฮลิคอปเตอร์อย่างแน่นอน

Lt. Gen. Norathip Poynok

"These things are the funding sources for the unrest movements and protection rackets; therefore, it is possible that those losing benefits may attempt to create situations to retaliate against state officials."

สิ่งเหล่านี้คือแหล่งเงินทุนของขบวนการ ก่อความไม่สงบและมีการเรียกเก็บค่าคุ้มครอง จึงเป็นไปได้ว่ากลุ่มผู้เสียผลประโยชน์อาจพยายามสร้างสถานการณ์ตอบโต้เจ้าหน้าที่รัฐ

Key Entities

Person

Norathip Poynok(นรธิป โพยนอก)

Lieutenant General and Commander of the 4th Army Region who also serves as the Director of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4.

Organization

Internal Security Operations Command Region 4(กอ.รมน.ภาค 4)

The organization responsible for security operations in the 4th region.

Place

Three Southern Border Provinces(สามจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้)

The area where state officials conducted encirclement and search operations against insurgents.

Yarang District(อำเภอยะรัง)ℹ️

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

Policy

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

An operation conducted by state officials to arrest offenders and seize narcotics.