ISOC clarifies arson observations and helicopter shooting case

Khaosod•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Internal Security Operations Command clarified that the 4th Army Region Commander's comments on the SAO arson were observations rather than conclusions and defended the state's position regarding a helicopter shooting incident.

•On August 25, 2026, ISOC and Army spokespersons addressed the Southern border situation at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.
•ISOC stated that the 4th Army Region Commander's mention of political involvement in the SAO arson was an observation, not a verified fact.
•ISOC denied that a helicopter fired upon youth, citing medical evidence that the injuries were caused by 9mm or .22mm bullets, not war weapons.
•The incidents are viewed as attempts to discredit the state during a period of personnel rotation and the recruitment of new youth into the RKK.

Overview

•On August 25, 2026, Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree and Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti spoke at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti stated the 4th Army Region Commander's view on political motives for the SAO arson was merely an observation.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti asserted that forensic evidence shows the shooting of youth involved small-caliber bullets rather than weapons from a helicopter.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti attributed the recent attacks to a gap in security caused by the rotation of Internal Security Operations Command 4th Region Forward forces.
•The Internal Security Operations Command utilizes two levels of intelligence: proactive, such as searches, and reactive, which relies on local mass support.
•The Narathiwat Special Task Force provided medical evidence to the public to refute claims that state helicopters shot civilians.
•The shooting case is currently under police investigation involving the review of CCTV footage and witness interviews.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti suggested perpetrators are training new youth to become RKK to elevate their operations and discredit the government.

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Key Quotes

Spokesperson of the Internal Security Operations Command

"The investigation may be somewhat slow, but it is better not to arrest the wrong person, because arresting the wrong person would cause continuous problems and could lose public support. Please trust our forensic system that will not lie and is neutral."

การสืบสวนสอบสวน อาจจะช้าไปบ้าง แต่ไม่ผิดตัวจะดีกว่า เพราะหากไปจับกุมผิดตัวมาจะมีปัญหาต่อเนื่อง แทนที่จะได้มวลชน อาจจะเสียมวลชน ขอให้เชื่อมั่นในระบบนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ของเราว่า จะไม่โกหก และเป็นกลาง

Key Entities

Organization

Internal Security Operations Command(กอ.รมน.)ℹ️

The organization providing clarifications on the Southern border security situation and forensic evidence.

Subdistrict Administrative Organization(องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล)ℹ️

The local government office that was targeted by arson.

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

The operational unit managing intelligence and security in the Southern border areas.

Subdistrict Protection Unit(ชุดคุ้มครองตำบล)

The administrative security unit working with the public to gather intelligence.

Santisuk Special Task Force(หน่วยเฉพาะกิจสันติสุข)

The unit tasked with entering areas to build mass strength and intelligence.

Narathiwat Special Task Force(หน่วยเฉพาะกิจนราธิวาส)

The unit that held a press conference with doctors regarding the shooting incident.

RKK

The group that the state believes is recruiting and training new youth for insurgency.

Person

4th Army Region Commander(มทภ.4)

The military leader who made observations regarding the political motives behind the SAO arson.

Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree(พล.ต.วินธัย สุวารี)

The spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army.

Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti(พล.ต.ธรรมนูญ ไม้สนธิ์)

The spokesperson for the Internal Security Operations Command.

Place

Royal Thai Army Headquarters(กองบัญชาการกองทัพบก)

The location where the spokespersons provided their statements on August 25, 2026.