NARATHIWAT: A deserted camp with many tents, believed used by insurgents, was found on a mountain in Si Sakhon district on Sunday by a combined police-military force sent to scour the area.
The search on Bilo mountain was launched after a local man was shot dead while hunting wild pigs on Friday.
The task force discovered the camping area not far from Moo 3 village in tambon Sako. They reported finding 13 tents, many survival kits, three spent AK47 rifle cartridges and one pipe bomb. The campsite was empty of people.
On Friday, Sophon Thasuk, 55, and three friends from moo 5 village in tambon Sako went pig hunting in the forest on Bilo mountain. They separated.
About 2pm, his three friends heard a series of gunshots and immediately went to their agreed rendezvous, but Sophon did not arrive.
The three men went down the mountain and reported the incident to a Ranger Task Force 49 outpost and asked for help. The rangers began a search at 3.10pm, but it was not until 6.12pm that they found Sophon. He had been shot many times in the body.
He was assumed to have been killed by insurgents he had disturbed. This led to a combined police-military unit being sent to search the area on Sunday, and finding the insurgents' deserted camp.