A kaman well known for his campaigning against violence narrowly survived a bomb explosion while on his way to a monthly meeting in Pattani's Yarang district on Monday morning.
Pol Col Wasant Puangnoy, the Yarang police chief, said the attack took place on a road along an irrigation canal in Ban Ton Makham in tambon Mowawi shortly before 9am.
According witnesses' accounts, an improvised weighing about 20kg planted on the road was detonated by militants waiting on the roadside as four pick-up trucks taking Isma-ae Buenae, 44, the kamnan of tambon Kolam, and his companions from tambon Mowawi to Yarang district town for a monthly meeting.
The kamnan was travelling in the fourth vehicle. He was accompanied by three defence volunteers providing security.
The explosion did not hit any of the four vehicles, which were running about 50m apart, but caused a large hole in the road about 2m in diametre and 1m deep.
Mr Sama-ae is well-known in the area for his staunch campaigning against all forms of violence.