Opposition Leaders Visit Southern Thailand Gas Station Blast Site; Military Identifies BRN as Perpetrator, Suspects Identified

Opposition leaders visited the PT gas station in Sai Buri district, Pattani province, southern Thailand, following an explosion that occurred on the night of June 28. They expressed their condolences to the victims and pledged support. Military officials stated that they have identified the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) as responsible for the incident and are proceeding with identifying suspects and issuing arrest warrants. The delegation included opposition leader Nattapong Ruangpanwut and several chairpersons of parliamentary committees from the People's Party. They indicated their intention to closely monitor the security situation in the South and the progress of victim compensation procedures. They also promised to support the procurement of necessary equipment for the security forces operating in the area. The incident occurred around 11:00 PM on June 28, after an unfamiliar phone number called and subsequently, oil was doused and the gas station was set on fire, followed by an explosion. The gas station owner expressed concerns regarding negotiations with the insurance company and the assessment of damages. According to military officials, the attack was carried out by the BRN, and the specific target was not clearly defined. It is believed that the incident escalated due to a combination of a controlled explosion and arson using oil. Individuals suspected of involvement in six previous incidents have been identified, and arrest warrants have been issued. Meanwhile, the 44th Ranger Forces Battalion acknowledged the existence of armed groups and the BRN but stated that current troop levels are insufficient to cover all areas. They pointed out that troop reductions in the southern region have been ongoing annually, making effective response difficult due to a lack of personnel. They urged political leaders to reconsider troop reduction policies. The opposition party has indicated its willingness to support the procurement of equipment for identifying and apprehending suspects. Source: INN News