A village chief was killed and three other people injured, one seriously, by gunmen in Yala's Raman district on Monday night, police said.
The attack occurred about 8.10pm while Roseh Yadaha, 47, chief of Moo 1 village in tambon Yata, and three villagers were returning home in a car from a tea shop.
As their car went past the mosque of Palae villlage a group of men hiding on the roadsides opened fire wih automatic weapons. The car skidded off the road, finally stopping in front of the mosque.
Roseh, the village chief, was killed. Mahama Rosidi, an assistant village chief who was driving the car, was seriously injured. Also wounded were Muso Basolo and Hunai Mahara.
The wounded were admitted to Raman Hospital before being referred to Yala Hospital.
Police were investigating.