A ranger was shot and wounded while on patrol in Narathiwat's Rueso district on Sunday afternoon, police said.
The incident occurred at about 1.30pm when a team of 18 rangers from Ranger Company 4910 were taking a break to eat under a large tree near a railway track near Ban Salae Tolae in tambon Rueso.
While Jirapong Phumirat, a patrol member, was walking from the group into the bush, he was shot by an unknown number of militants hiding nearby. He was hit in the ribcage.
The noise of the gunfire prompted other rangers to open fire. An exchange occurred for about two minutes before the militants retreated.
The wounded ranger was admitted to Rueso Hospital.