NARATHIWAT, May 13 — Two men were killed in a shooting in Ra-ngae district here while a rubber grower was severely wounded in an ambush in Rueso district today, according to police.
The first incident occurred at a house in Ra-ngae district early this morning when Sulfa Lomaewaming, 31, and Sutham Noonnoi, a 43-year-old lorry driver, were shot to death.
Mr Sulfa was shot twice in his torso and head while Mr Sutham was shot in his head, according to investigators led by Pol Maj Chanwit Samdaengdech of Ra-ngae police station.
The shooting occurred at around 4am with some six gunshots being heard. Neighbours did not dare to leave their homes in response to the shooting in fear of their own safety.
Police said the shooting might be a drug-related conflict or related to the southern insurgency.
In Rueso district, a rubber plantation owner was severely wounded in a shooting by an attacker while returning home in the morning, according to Pol Lt Uthai Parntong of the Rueso police station.
Identified as Aman Kadaekae, 24, the victim was shot four times in his abdomen and both hands by an assailant armed with a shotgun.
As Mr Aman lost control of his motorcycle and fell at the roadside, the gunman tried to finish him off, but fled as other rubber tappers ran to see the incident.
The ambush was believed to be done by a suspected insurgent.
