YALA - There were reports of bomb explosions, school arson and people being shot in several areas of the deep South overnight and on Friday morning.
The sudden upsurge in violence drew speculation the attacks were in retaliation for the security forces' successful raid on a well-hidden insurgent base used by bombmakers in Pattani on Wednesday.
In Yala, a soldier was killed and another wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in Krong Pinang district on Friday morning.
The blast occurred around 7am near a fruit plantation in tambon Sa-ae, said Pol Lt Col Jaturong Dorn-onpao, an investigation officer at Krong Pinang police station.
The bomb was detonated as a seven-man patrol providing protection for teachers arrived at the spot. Two soldiers were hit by shrapnel - Pvt Sayompu Kaewklum, 22, and Pvt Prasert Immuang, 22. Pvt Sayompu was later pronounced dead at Krong Pinang hospital.
The explosion left a crater about 1.5 metre deep and one metre wide in the ground. Debris, including batteries, was scattered over the area. A 100-metre long electric wire was found in the nearby trees.
Police blamed insurgent sympathisers still active in the area. Explosive ordnace disposal officers inspecting the scene said the bomb weighing around 5kg and was detonated by batteries connected to the wire.
In Pattani, a man was ambushed and shot ded while riding his motorcycle in Yaring district on Friday morning.
The body of the man, identified as Masuedee Sameng, of tambon Tam Masu of Yaring district, was found beside his fallen motorcycle on a road in tambon Baloy about 8.30am, police said.
He had been shot in the head.
Authorities were investigating whether he was slain by insurgents or if a personal conflict was the motive.
Other reports were still being confirmed.
On Wednesday, a combined military-police force raided a well-setup, hidden base in a mangrove forest used by a separatist insurgent group, arrested one suspect and seized a large quantity of bomb-making materials and weapons in Pattani province's Nong Chik district following a brief clash with armed insurgents.
A soldier looks at the body of a man shot dead along the roadside in Pattani's Yaring district on Friday morning. (Photo by Abdulloh Benjakat)