Speaking during a visit to local residents in Narathiwat, Chuan said a flag that had flown from a fence outside his house was burnt to ashes. He was sleeping inside the house at the time, and heard nothing.

He said he had never experienced such an incident before. He knew neither who was responsible nor what the motive was.

"I am not sure if the intention was to threaten me," Chuan said. "Burning a flag is not normal. Why would anyone want to burn a flag?"

Guards were manning a security box on the soi when the incident occurred. Neighbours said they saw the flag on fire at 1am yesterday, but didn't see who lit it. Din Daeng police are investigating.

"There have been [similar] incidents, like the bomb attack at the Democrat Party and the bomb attack outside Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's house," Chuan said. "I am not sure if it was the same group of people."