Four suspects are in military custody for questioning in connection with a police drug raid in an oil palm plantation in Tak Bai district of the southern province of Narathiwat on Sunday, during which two police officers were killed and four others injured.
The four suspects were identified as ‘Mahadi’, 51 (surname withheld), Muhamad Samsa, 37, Saqwbri, 47 (surname withheld) and Abdul Hakim, 22(surname withheld). All were arrested by police and handed over to the military for questioning.
Mahadi and Abdul Hakim were taken to the Royal Marines interrogation centre, while the other two were escorted to the interrogation centre of the 46th Paramilitary Ranger Regiment, in accordance with the legal process under the martial law.
Martial law has been invoked in the entire province of Narathiwat since the deadly insurgent attack on the Bukeh Sami Road checkpoint in Ra-ngae district on July 22, which left five rangers dead and six civilians injured.
Under the martial law, the military has taken over the maintenance of peace and order in the province. All criminal cases are being handled by the military, which will determine whether they will be tried by a civilian or a military court. The verdict of a military court is final and cannot be appealed under Thai law.
Police say that, among the four injured police officers, two are in serious conditions and are being treated in hospital. Pol. L/Cpl. Traitos Kuisanthawasiri, was shot in the head and is being treated at the Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital, while Senior Sgt. Maj. Wannuchit Sae-Khaw, was shot in both legs and is being treated at Songklanagarind Hospital.
