A roadside bomb blast, believed to have been detonated by insurgent attackers, has killed a patrolling paramilitary ranger and seriously wounded his colleague in Narathiwat's Bacho district, police said Monday.
The incident adds to the growing worries of the army over the safety of its officers.
Some are calling for use of unmanned drones to replace human patrols in some high-risk areas.
The latest attack erupted in the early morning when a group of eight paramilitary rangers, attached to the Royal Thai Marine Corps, were patrolling along the Ban Chuwo-Kayoh Mati road in tambon Kayoh Matee.
- Earlier report: Roadside bomb kills ranger
The officers were riding on four motorcycles when the bomb went off. One motorcycle was hit by the blast. Shrapnel killed ranger Anant Wichienthong, 25, who was a pillion rider. His driver, ranger Yutthana Thongyen, fell five metres away and and suffered serious shrapnel wounds to the left side of his torso and his left leg. He was taken to Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital.
The bomb, in a cooking gas cylinder and thought to weigh about 20 kilogrammes, was concealed in bushes beside the road and was detonated by radio. The other six other rangers escaped unscathed. Authorities are investigating which insurgent group launched the attack.
Late last month deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon suggested using drones for patrols to reinforce military missions in the restive far South and better protect lives of officers on duty.
The plan, unveiled by National Security Council secretary-general Thawip Netniyom, was raised during Gen Prawit's meeting with the 4th Army to discuss the insurgency in the Muslim-dominated southernmost provinces. Gen Prawit prefers the use of drones in risk areas to reduce the burden on soldiers.