Kelantan chef killed in south Thailand

A Malaysian chef was fatally hit by a stray bullet that was shot by four men at a police roadblock in Tak Bai, south of Thailand last night.

According to Tak Bai police chief, Col. Phacharapon Nanakorn, the victim, 46-year-old Wan Mohd Zain Wan Hussain from Kampung Ketil, Tumpat, died at the scene in the 9.30pm incident.

He said, the victim was riding pillion on a motorbike taxi when they encountered the roadblock at Kampong Che He.

Also at the roadblock were four armed men in a pickup truck, who began shooting the police officers on duty when the latter tried to check them.

One of the bullets fatally hit Wan Mohd Zain, a widow and father-of-four.

Phacharapon also said a bomb exploded not far from the scene of the crime just as Thai security forces arrived to render help to their colleagues.

Wan Mohd Zain’s remains have been sent to a hospital in Tak Bai for post-mortem before they would be sent back to his family in Malaysia.

He would be laid to rest at the Kampung Ketil Muslim Cemetery.

'PASSIONATE CHEF'

Wan Mohd Zain was a highly experienced chef, said television host and personality, Nazrudin Habibur Rahman.

Nazrudin had the opportunity to meet the victim when he visited Restoran Kapal Terbang in Kubang Kerian last year, where Wan Mohd Zain was head chef at the time.

"I remember him well, he was an experienced chef, wanting to merge Southern Johorean cooking with East Coast taste buds.

"I remember him being passionate about food and committed to growing the business at Kapal Terbang," Nazrudin told Astro AWANI today.

A photo of the two emerged following Wan Mohd Zain's death. Nazrudin expressed regret that such as tragedy befell the aspiring chef.

He also conveyed his condolences to the victim's family.

"I'm truly shocked at the news, malang tidak berbau. My prayers for his children and family as well."