Narathiwat: Mourning a southern hero, a funeral ceremony was held for Private Wuttipong Chumchua, a member of the Border Patrol Police who sacrificed his life in a clash in Chanae. Two suspects have been detained for questioning, and authorities are urgently searching for "Yamaluddin," a leader with four outstanding arrest warrants. The atmosphere was filled with sorrow and tears from relatives and fellow civil servants at the funeral ceremony for Private Wuttipong Chumchua, a soldier who sacrificed his life in a clash while inspecting a target area in Chanae District, Narathiwat Province. All sectors of society offered condolences and provided financial assistance before his body was sent back to his hometown in Trang Province. Meanwhile, authorities are accelerating the investigation by tracing evidence from the scene and have detained the homeowner and his son-in-law for questioning after discovering they provided shelter to a high-ranking leader of the violent insurgency who has four outstanding arrest wa rrants.
According to Thai News Agency, at 9:00 AM on June 2, 2026, at the multipurpose hall of Wat Bang Nara, Bang Nak Subdistrict, Mueang District, Narathiwat Province, Major General Korakot Phuchot, Deputy Director of Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward, presided over the funeral ceremony for Private Wuttipong Chumchua, a member of the Reserve Ranger Company, Task Force 46, who died after being shot by a group of insurgents while on duty. Present at the ceremony were Police Lieutenant General Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9; Mr. Boonchuey Homyamyen, Governor of Narathiwat Province; along with commanders, fellow soldiers, police officers, and local government officials, all paying their respects to the hero.
During the ceremony, Mr. Boonchuey Homyamyen, Governor of Narathiwat, laid wreaths on behalf of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport. Meanwhile, Major General Korakod Phuchot laid wreaths on behalf of Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence; General Phana Klaewplodthuk, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army; and Lieutenant General Norathip Poynok, Commander of the 4th Army Area, respectively.
Furthermore, the presiding officer presented the Bang Rachan Medal, a certificate of commendation for merit and sacrifice, as well as initial funeral assistance and compensation from various agencies, totaling over 535,000 baht, to comfort and support the family of the fallen soldier. This was before the body of Private Wuttipong was transported back to his hometown of Wat Yothong, Moo 1, Na Khao Sia Subdistrict, Na Yong District, Trang Province for traditional funeral rites.
Regarding the case, footage revealed an intense shootout, resulting in one officer, Sergeant Major Taweekiat Yawila, being injured by a bullet that entered his bulletproof vest near his left chest. He is currently stable and receiving treatment at Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital. Investigations indicate that the suspect hiding in the house and opening fire on officers was Yamaluddin Hawebueza, a key operational leader of a violent extremist group, with four outstanding arrest warrants. He fired shots to clear a path and escaped.
After the gunfire ceased, authorities coordinated with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and forensic officers to conduct a thorough investigation of the area. They found several crucial pieces of evidence, including cigarette butts, bullet fragments, and over 11 5.56 mm shell casings, as well as luggage found in the bedroom. At 12:30 PM, reinforcements from the Yala-Pattani Provincial Police, along with paramilitary forces and border patrol officers, surrounded and thoroughly cleared the surrounding rubber plantations and dense forests in search of Mr. Yamaluddin, but he was not found.
Authorities, exercising their powers under martial law, summoned two suspects, Mr. Sayuki Awae (the homeowner) and Mr. Supian Sulong (son-in-law), believed to be involved in providing shelter to violent extremists, for questioning at the interrogation center of the 46th Ranger Regiment, Ban Khai, Kalawuo Nuea Subdistrict, Mueang District, Narathiwat Province to further investigate and apprehend the perpetrators for legal prosecution.