A man wearing military attire who broke into a female dormitory in Pattani, attempted to molest a student and was then involved in a scuffle with security guards, has been pronounced dead from his injuries, police said.
As the army yesterday denied the man was an actual ranger, Napradu police confirmed a man had broken into a female dormitory of an Islamic school in Pattani's Khok Pho district last Thursday about 2am.
Police identified the man as Nueng Thongpoondee, 38, a Pattani resident. He was trying to steal students' belongings and molesting a girl living there, they said.
Officers said the man was caught in the act and attacked by the dorm's security guards after the victim cried for help.
They found a camera, a wallet and money on the man.
The suspect, who suffered serious head injuries in the attack, was then taken to Khok Pho Hospital for treatment. He was later pronounced dead.
Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4's Forward Command, yesterday denied reports on social media the man was an actual ranger, saying he was merely impersonating one.
He was responding to a photo of the victim and the suspect which were posted online, prompting criticism among netizens.
Since the suspect was pictured wearing military clothes people have mistaken him for an actual ranger, Col Pramote said.
According to police, Nueng had once been charged with robbery.
Meanwhile, Kohliyoh Hahlee, the leader of a Khok Pho Women's Group for Women, Peace and Security yesterday called on the school's ustaz (Islamic teachers) to ease potential misunderstandings over the attack.
Some people are trying to stir up hatred and controversy with lies against the military and state officers, she said.
She demanded ustaz implement more stringent security measures in Islamic schools to provide students with better protection.