Bangkok: Chaos erupted in Jao I Rung as criminals targeted CCTV cameras and solar panel cabinets, causing damage at three locations. Unauthorized individuals disrupted activities in Cho Airong district, Narathiwat province, by damaging CCTV cameras and solar power systems. CCTV cameras captured clear images of the perpetrators.
According to Thai News Agency, a review of CCTV footage from 8:00 PM on July 18th revealed that four burly men dressed in black with their faces concealed were seen loitering around a three-way intersection in Ban Lubo Yae, Moo 7, Tambon Chuap, Amphoe Cho Airong, Narathiwat Province. The men used a shotgun to fire at an electrical box and set fire to the CCTV cameras using bamboo sticks tied with car tires. They then crossed the railway tracks and fired at a third electrical box before fleeing on motorcycles towards the mountains.
Due to the incident occurring at night, forensic officers from Narathiwat Province and a K9 unit inspected the scene in the morning. They discovered that the perpetrators had burned and shot at three combiner boxes, which collect electricity from solar panels, at the three-way intersection of Ban Lubo Yae, Village 7, Tambon Chuap. The CCTV camera was completely destroyed. Fragments of motorcycle tire and a 3-meter-long bamboo stick used in the attack were found at the scene.
At the second location, just 20 meters away, the combiner box was damaged by shotgun fire, with four spent shotgun shells found at the scene. At the third location, in front of Sampanwitthaya School, the combiner box was also damaged by gunfire, with another spent shotgun shell found at that location.
Police Colonel Narin Chuaysuk, Superintendent of Cho Airong Police Station, revealed that initial investigations suggest the incident was carried out by a violent extremist group operating in Cho Airong and Ra-ngae districts, aiming to create unrest. Authorities have collected all evidence for forensic examination to expedite the arrest of the perpetrators.