A former separatist who switched sides and served for a time with a ranger unit was seriously wounded by gunmen near his home in Mayo district in Pattani province early on Wednesday, police said.
Pol Lt Muhammad Madwang, deputy investigation chief of Mayo police, said Masueki Chelo, 34, was returning to his home in Buka Salaemae village in tambon Pado about 1am when he was ambushed by gunmen lying in wait near his house.
He was hit by three bullets, in the chest and the hip, and later admitted to Pattani Hospital in a serious condition.
Mr Masueki is a former member of the united front separatist movement who surrendered to authorities. He later served as a ranger before resigning to make a living from tapping rubber and taking animal husbandry jobs.
Police were investigating.
