Violence rocked the country's Muslim-dominated South yesterday as separate bombings, shootings and arson attacks claimed five lives and injured 18 others, including two insurgents.

The attacks came as the military-backed government extended the state of emergency in the region for another three months. The emergency decree will next be reviewed on January 19.

In Songkhla's Thepa district, a bomb hidden in a crowded teashop went off, killing two people and injuring 11 others.

Separately, rubber tapper Mavee Wamae, 35, was killed by six rounds fired from an 11mm pistol by a gunman riding pillion on a motorbike. Mavee and his wife were heading to their rubber plantation in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district when they were attacked. His wife was injured in the attack.

In Yala's Bannang Sata district, three police officers patrolling in front of Bannang Sata Hospital were attacked by four gunmen on two motorbikes. In the ensuing gunfight, two officers were slightly injured and one of the suspected militants wounded. All the gunmen escaped.

In Pattani's Yarang district, villager Weerachai Thanirananont, 44, was critically injured in a drive-by shooting while he was riding home on his motorbike.

Late Thursday night in the same district, former deputy village headman Sukree Waehama, 35, was shot dead while walking home after praying. An unknown number of gunmen opened fire on him with M-16 assault rifles before running away.

Also on Thursday night in Yarang district, a DJ for a military radio station, Nirusmeekhee Niyoh, 29, was shot dead with a .38 pistol while she was having dinner at a roadside food stall. Two gunmen riding a motorbike walked into the food stall and opened fire at point-blank range before escaping.

Later, in the Joh I Rong district of Narathiwat, a 5kg roadside bomb exploded when 10 soldiers were patrolling nearby, injuring two.

Around the same time in Rangae district of the same province, a 45-year-old headman of Ban Arnae Poyee Sama-ae village was attacked by an unknown number of gunmen who had hidden in a forested area. After a gunfight lasting a few minutes the suspected Muslim militants sped away. No one was injured.

In another incident, at least 10 gunmen wearing black camouflage stole three long-barrelled shotguns from three village defence volunteers in Bacho district. No one was injured.

The latest wave of violence follows Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's visit to Malaysia, where he discussed the unrest with his Malaysian counterpart.

The Nation

Songkhla