An assistant village headman was shot dead in an ambush in Khok Pho district of Pattani province on Monday morning, reports said.
The victim was identified as Sapae-ing Sulong, 55, assistant chief of Ban Suan Nok, tambon Chang Hai of Khok Pho district.
According to witnesses Sapae-ing was travelling home in his sedan on the Thung Yang-Suan Nok road in tambon Chang Hai when gunmen hiding in roadside forest fired on him with M16 and AK47 assault rifles.
Sapae-ing took several bullets in his torso and died in the driving seat on the spot.
Police were investigating.
The car of Sapae-ing Sulong is severely damaged after gunmen hiding in roadside forest fired on him with assault rifles on Monday. (Photo by Parez Lohasan)