In the first incident at the Tebak Village of Tungyangdeang district in Pattani, several gunmen shot dead the couple identified only as Abdulllah, 45, and his wife, Hah Sahak, 40, and their son, Abdullaateh, 18. The victims died on the spot.
At the Muang district of Pattani,
Meanwhile, a long-standing separatist group has welcomed the planned visit by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to Narathiwat on Wednesday. Pattani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) vice-president Kasturi Mahkota said they hoped the historic meeting would generate a more conducive atmosphere for continuing dialogue between the Thai Government and separatist groups.
He said Pulo was encouraged by Abhisit's recent statements regarding a lasting solution to the conflict, adding that allowing the people of Pattani to elect their own representatives to govern the southern provinces would pave way for that. "This will provide a good basis for an agreement that could lead to a laying down of arms and lasting peace in the Pattani region," he said in a statement posted on Pulo website.