PM orders tighter security after PTT station attacks in Deep South
PM Anutin says the Deep South PTT attacks must be treated seriously, ordering faster investigations, support for the injured and relief for affected operators
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he has instructed security agencies in the Deep South to tighten measures and accelerate investigations after coordinated attacks targeted PTT fuel stations across the three southern border provinces.
Speaking on 12 January 2026, Anutin said he had discussed the situation with Lt Gen Narathip Poinok, commander of the Fourth Army Area, and Gen Chaiphruet Duangpraphat , the army chief of staff, as well as Piyasiri Watthanaworangkul, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC).
He said further talks were held with Gen Nuttapong Praokaew, deputy secretary-general of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and Chatchai Bangchuad, secretary-general of the National Security Council, to push for swift legal action and to determine the motive and background to the attacks.
Anutin said SBPAC has been told to provide urgent assistance to the seven injured and to develop relief measures for affected operators, after damage was reported at multiple PTT stations.
He added that he had called Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, chairman of PTT Public Company Limited, urging the company to be involved in finding ways to support the operators so they can continue running their businesses.
“We have to enable them to keep operating. If they say they will stop, it only gives the attackers what they want,” Anutin said, adding that insurers typically do not cover losses caused by terrorism.
Asked whether he could confirm the incidents were not acts of terrorism, Anutin said he could not: the attacks occurred across all three provinces and involved clearly defined targets.
He also said security officials were examining whether political factors could be linked to the violence, noting that several elements may overlap — including politics, hostile intent, and attempts to prevent peace from taking hold. He added that incidents have often occurred ahead of extensions to emergency measures, based on past patterns described by local officials.
Anutin said intelligence work needs a major overhaul, warning that it is unacceptable for authorities to claim they cannot identify the cause. He said this should prompt significant improvements in intelligence effectiveness.
With a national election approaching, he said security forces must maintain stability through the election period. He acknowledged the attacks happened during a transition period when personnel were being deployed for National Children’s Day activities, but stressed that the authorities cannot evade responsibility, given the area remains under an emergency decree and martial law applies in some districts.
