Four dead in three separate shooting incidents in Southern Thailand

Four people were killed in three separate shooting incidents in the restive provinces of Pattani and Narathiwat in southern Thailand this evening.

According to Pattani police chief Maj Gen Piyawat Chalermsi, the first incident occurred at 5pm local time in the district of Thung Yang Daeng in Pattani when a local volunteer was shot dead while returning from buying food for breaking of fast.

"The victim, who was shot while riding a motorcycle, died at the scene. Also killed in the incident was a member of the public at the incident site," he said today.

The unidentified assailant also fled with the firearm of the volunteer, he said.

In the second incident about 20 minutes later, the assistant head village of Kerasak sub-district in Mayo, Pattani identified as Abdullah Set was shot dead by an unknown attacker in front of his house.

Earlier at 2pm local time, a member of the public, Bakri Naing, 41 was found dead in front of his house in Takbai, Narathiwat with gunshot wounds on the head and body.

Police are still investigating the three incidents.

-- BERNAMA