[Bangkok Post] Thai troops clashed with a group of well-armed insurgents thought to have plans to sabotage the New Year celebration at the foot of Mohtae mountain in Rangae district on Wednesday morning, and killed one of them. The 24-man team of rangers and special forces soldiers were tracking Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) militants when they found their camp.The New Year's eve clash occurred after a tip that a group of RKK rebels had set up a temporary base on the mountain and were preparing to launch attacks during the New Year period. The approaching soldiers were seen by an militant lookout on higher ground, who alerted the camp. The two sides exchanged fire for about 20 minutes before the militants fled.
Troops who searched the camp found the body of a man identified as Ardua Nanmasae, who was wanted for the firearms robbery at a military camp on Jan 19, 2011. He had died from multiple bullet wounds.