Arson attack hits warehouse in Narathiwat; two trucks destroyed

Two trailer trucks parked in a warehouse parking lot in Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province were set ablaze by as-yet-unidentified arsonists early this morning.

According to district police, the sound of an explosion was heard at the warehouse, located opposite a PTT petrol station, at about 2am. Police and military personnel rushed to the scene to investigate.

They were later joined by fire trucks and firefighters, who managed to extinguish the flames, though the two trucks were damaged beyond repair.

A police source said security forces had raided the warehouse earlier this month and seized more than 9,000 litres of smuggled fuel.

The warehouse, the source added, is believed to have been used to store oil smuggled into the province from Malaysia for resale elsewhere at a significant profit.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning, security forces in Yala province shot and killed a suspected insurgent who had barricaded himself inside a house after he refused to surrender.

Acting on a tip-off that a small group of suspicious individuals had taken refuge in a house in Sateng Nok sub-district, military and police units moved to the area shortly after midnight and laid siege to the residence.

Local leaders were brought to the scene to persuade those inside to surrender peacefully. The tense standoff lasted until about 4am, when gunfire erupted from inside the house, prompting security forces to return fire.

A security officer said it is standard practice for security forces to give suspected insurgents under siege an opportunity to surrender, often by asking local or religious leaders to help persuade them to turn themselves in to avoid bloodshed.

Sporadic gunfire continued until sunrise.

Security forces did not immediately storm the house, waiting until it was safe to approach. Upon entry, they found one suspect dead inside, while the others appeared to have escaped under the cover of darkness.

The deceased was identified as Natruloh Sama, who had three outstanding arrest warrants. Police said he was also suspected of involvement in bomb and arson attacks on 11 petrol stations across three southern provinces earlier this month.