Saba Yoi: Three groups of assailants are believed to have shot and killed monks and novices in Saba Yoi District, Songkhla Province. Police report that the shooting of a monk and a novice with an AK47, which resulted in one fatality, was orchestrated by three groups of perpetrators who caused chaos in the district.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident took place when an unknown number of attackers fired at a black Isuzu 4-door pickup truck owned by Pol. Lt. Wattana, a police officer from Saba Yoi Police Station. He was in the process of picking up six monks and novices from Wat Koh Aphinin, also known as Wat Kuhra, for their alms round. The attack occurred on Suan On-Ban Khlong Rian Road, approximately 500 meters from Wat Kuhra. Two novices were shot and injured; Novice Phongkorn, aged 16, who is Pol. Lt. Wattana’s son, was fatally shot in the back. The other novice, Novice Phokhanit, aged 12, sustained injuries. During the assault, Pol. Lt. Wattana returned fire and swiftly transported the injured novices to the hospital.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, visited the scene to confer with security and administrative officials. He attributes the incident to a local task force, stating that such assaults on monks have been rare due to the multicultural fabric of the local society. Intelligence sources suspect the involvement of Mr. Abdulleh Baraheng, Mr. Afis Towaema, and Mr. Muhammad Sabugan Wahayi, who are known to be active in the area.
In the aftermath, a bomb disposal team discovered a 7.56 caliber bullet casing at the scene, consistent with the type used in AK47 rifles. Meanwhile, villagers at Wat Ko Aphinihan, where the novices were ordained, sought details about the incident. The abbot mentioned that the novices had been ordained for the summer for just three days and were scheduled to disrobe on April 26.
Pol. Lt. Wattana’s pickup truck, now stationed at Saba Yoi Police Station, was found to have 12 bullet holes. At the time of the attack, the truck carried seven people: three monks, three novices, and the driver. Two assailants, riding a motorcycle, opened fire from the front of the truck. Pol. Lt. Wattana defended against the attack until his ammunition was exhausted, forcing the assailants to retreat.
The wife of Pol. Lt. Wattana revealed that she had cautioned her husband about suspicious motorcycles tailing him in the days leading up to the attack. The body of Novice Phongkorn has been sent for an autopsy and will be returned to Wat Thamnien Thammaram for religious rites.
Mr. Inthaporn Chan-iam, Director of the National Office of Buddhism, announced that the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand has extended royal favors, including a set of monk’s robes and sandalwood for the cremation of the deceased novice and a medallion to the injured novice, along with financial support.
The Sangha Region 18 released an urgent statement emphasizing that the novices were young individuals with faith, unaware of the area’s conflicts. They urged relevant agencies to ensure justice for the victims and called for legal action against those responsible.