A teacher was shot dead in a drive-by shooting by suspected insurgents in Narathiwat's Rueso district on Sunday evening.
The man was the second teacher killed in Narathiwat in less than three weeks.
Police identified him as Pol Sgt Preecha Samaimai, 40, who was a teacher at Ban La-o Border Patrol Police (BPP) School in tambon Si Banpot of Si Sakhon district.
Pol Sgt Preecha, who carried a 9mm pistol, was travelling in his pickup truck along the Reuso-Tha Rua Road at 4.30pm when four men on two motorcycles sandwiched him. The two gunmen riding pillion, armed with an M16 assault rifle and an AK-47, sprayed bullets at his vehicle, killing him instantly. The gunman took the teacher’s weapon and fled.
Police found 18 spent M16 and AK-47 casings at the spot. Pol Sgt Preecha’s bullet-riddled body was found in his pickup which ran into a roadside ditch.
Police said Pol Sgt Preecha left his school in Si Sakhon district to study at Narathiwat Community College in Rueso and was heading home when the attack took place.
Police blamed southern separatists for the killing.
On Oct 1, Komsan Chomyong, 40, a former border police patrol officer and a Prathom 6 (grade 6) teacher was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Rangae district.