Panare: A candidate for the Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) mayor of Than Nam was shot dead in front of his house, intensifying the already fraught atmosphere in the region. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 3, 2026, in the Panare District, as confirmed by local officials.
According to Thai News Agency, investigators from Panare Police Station, Pattani Province, received a report at 1:25 AM that unknown assailants had ambushed and killed Mr. Manase, a candidate for the SAO chairmanship of Than Nam. The police found his body with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, inflicted by an unidentified firearm, in front of his residence.
Initial investigations suggest that Mr. Manase was targeted while he was covering the entrance to his house with a tarpaulin, part of a new fence construction project. This activity followed a meeting with his team to plan the placement of candidate signs. Two unidentified gunmen, armed with automatic weapons, reportedly hid behind the side fence and opened fire as he walked towards the wall, resulting in his immediate death. The attackers then disappeared into the night.
Authorities are in the process of collecting evidence at the scene to establish whether the murder was politically motivated or intended to incite unrest in the area.