ISOC clarifies Southern unrest and TAO arson investigation

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

ISOC and Army spokespersons clarified that the 4th Army Region Commander's comments on political links to TAO arson were preliminary observations and denied that helicopters shot at youths.

•Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree and Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti held a press conference on August 25, 2026.
•ISOC stated that the 4th Army Region Commander's mention of political involvement in TAO arson was a preliminary observation.
•Forensic evidence indicates that wounds on youths were caused by 9mm or .22mm handgun bullets, not state military weapons.

Overview

•On August 25, 2026, Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree and Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti held a press conference at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti clarified that the 4th Army Region Commander's interview regarding political links to the burning of the TAO office was a preliminary observation and hypothesis based on local data.
•The Internal Security Operations Command is not ruling out any possibilities in the investigation, including overlapping threats, illegal businesses, or politics.
•The Internal Security Operations Command stated that perpetrators took advantage of troop rotations to cause disturbances, such as burning tires, to destroy government credibility.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti stated that medical and forensic evidence shows wounds were caused by 9mm or .22mm bullets, which are not state military weapons.
•The Internal Security Operations Command noted that the bullet trajectory entered and exited at a 30-degree angle, which is physically impossible for a helicopter to achieve.
•Maj. Gen. Thammanoon Maisonti asked for fairness for officials operating in the area and urged the public to wait for detailed investigation results.

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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 if the wrong person is arrested, there will be continuous problems; instead of gaining the masses, we may lose them. Please trust our forensic system that it will not lie and is neutral."

การสืบสวนสอบสวนอาจจะช้าไปบ้าง แต่ไม่ผิดตัวจะดีกว่า เพราะหากไปจับกุมผิดตัวมาจะมีปัญหาต่อเนื่อง แทนที่จะได้มวลชน อาจจะเสียมวลชน ขอให้เชื่อมั่นในระบบนิติวิทยาศาสตร์ของเราว่า จะไม่โกหก และเป็นกลาง

Key Entities

Organization

Internal Security Operations Command(กอ.รมน.)ℹ️

The organization providing clarifications on the Southern unrest and forensic evidence regarding the shooting incident.

Royal Thai Army(ทบ.)ℹ️

The organization whose spokesperson participated in the press conference.

TAO(อบต.)ℹ️

The sub-district administrative organization whose office was targeted by arson.

Person

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

The spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army.

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

The spokesperson of the Internal Security Operations Command.

Lt. Gen. 4th Army Region Commander(พล.ท. แม่ทัพภาคที่ 4)

The officer who gave an interview suggesting political involvement in the TAO arson.

Place

Southern Border Provinces(จังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้)

The area experiencing unrest and the incidents discussed in the press conference.

Royal Thai Army Headquarters(กองบัญชาการกองทัพบก)

The location where the press conference was held.