A bomb exploded in Pattani’s Khok Pho district on Thursday night, killing four village defence volunteers and leaving four others injured and in hospital.
The bomb detonated at a village defence guard booth in Ban Khok Khi Lek village, tambon Tha Rua, about 8.30pm, Kho Pho police said.
Three volunteers died at the scene and five others were injured and taken to hospital. One of the injured was later pronounced dead.
The four volunteers who died were identified as Wisut Kaewchan, Banlua Nuanphet, Adisak Chumuay and Klai Suriyong. The four injured villagers were identified as Thanom Khaosang, Somporn Khaosang, Pian Tham-oun and Cha-um Bualaem. The four survivors were being treated at a hospital and said to be out of danger.
Police said the bomb was hidden inside the guard booth. It went off shortly after the seven village guards began their night shift.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal police and forensic officers on Friday inspected the scene and found fragments of steel rods and an electrical circuit at the scene. They said the bomb, weighing at least 3 kg, was detonated by radio. They blamed the attack on insurgents.
It was earlier reported that two village defence volunteers were killed in the attack and five others wounded.