One man was killed and another seriously wounded when gunmen sprayed bullets from M16s and AK47s at a tea shop in Narathiwat province on Friday night.
The two victims were attacked while drinking tea at a tea shop by two men riding on pillions of two motorcycles. He said Surin Sangsuwan, was shot three times in his body and right leg and died there. Arnond Chinseng, was shot in his left leg and was admitted to the hospital.
Police blamed separatist terrorists militants.
More police officers are being deployed in southern Thailand to guard against terrorist insurgent attacks during the holidays and the military have heightened measures and mobilised additional troops.
Small high-mobility units are increasing operations until Jan 2, a military spokesman said at a press conference on Friday. He added that action was also being taken against petty criminals, hired guns racketeers and drug dealers.
| "There's a new sherrif in town . . . until the second of January." |
Non-aggressive measures are also being employed to win over insurgency sympathisers.
"Chill dawgs, or we might get all passive aggressive on yo asses. Dig?"
*turns army cap backwards* |
Meanwhile,
the army held funerals for two rangers killed in a driveby shooting. The families of Rangers Preecha Janthanon and Suraphol Phetthae have been compensated for the deaths. A manhunt for the attackers, thought to be RKK commandos, is underway in Narathiwat province. |