A Muslim religious leader was shot dead in Yaha district of Yala province on Wednesday.
Police said Abdullateh Todir, 50, the chairman of imams or Muslim religious leaders of Yaha and a member of the Yala Islamic Committee, was attacked about noon as he was driving a pick-up truck along the Yaha-Kabang road from Ban Patae to Yaha town.
Two men followed Abdullateh on a motorcycle and the pillion rider opened fire at him with a pistol. The imam was hit and the vehicle skidded off the road and crashed into a tree.
Abdullateh was hit by six bullets and died on the spot. Many spent 11mm cartridges were found at the scene of the attack.
Police were investigating.