An assistant village headman and three villagers were shot dead in two separate shootings in the southernmost province of Yala on Saturday.
The first attack occurred at 10.10am at a rubber latex buying shop on Bannang Dama-Labahoey road in Ban Khlong Tae of Kabang district, said Pol Col Krisada Kaewchandee, chief of the Yala police.
According to witnesses, Ekapong Saenrojana, 32, Thipwadee Thongsongkaew, 21, and Duangduan Rombua, 35, were sitting inside the shop when four men arrived on two motorcycles.
The gunmen approached the three villagers and sprayed bullets at them with a 9mm handgun and assault rifles and then fled.
The victims died on the spot.
Police believed the attack was a work of militants under Hundum Musordee’s group, which is moving to incite violence in Kabang district.
The second shooting took place in Raman district where an assistant village headman was killed.
He was identified as Arsae Katae, 47, assistant chief of Moo 8, tambon Karubi of Kapo district in Pattani province.
The attack occurred about 10.15am at a rubber plantation at Ban Pulamong in tambon Kehro of Raman district.
Police said Arsae was working in the rubber forest when a gunman fired at him with a handgun. He died on the spot.
Police were investigating.