A village headman was killed in shooting inside a mosque in Chanae district of Narathiwat on Friday afternoon, reports said.
He was identified as Chalerm Tohha, 50, chief of Ban Luboh in tambon Phadungmart of Chanae district.
According to witnesses, Mr Chalerm was sitting praying inside the village’s mosque when two men on a motorcycle arrived at the mosque. The gunman, who had been riding pillion, walked in toward Mr Chalerm and fired at him close range with a handgun. The assailants then fled.
Mr Chalerm was shot in the body and died on the spot.
Police blamed separatist militants.