"The bullets sprayed like rain," Viriya recounted the attack on her the convey travelling through an insurgentinfested district of Krong Pinang of Yala province.

Viriya said she went for the floor after the initial burst of gunfire came pouring on the convoy of police and military. Just seconds later, bullets ripped through the seat where she had been sitting earlier.

"I was about seconds from death," Viriya said.

 Viriya suffered from a cut on her face.

Viriya, as head of a foundation responsible for boosting morality of soldiers, was on her way back to Muang district when some 20 suspected militants sprayed bullets on her security convoy.

"On the way, an officer explained to me that the road we were riding on was in good condition and that it is bumpy now because the militants had been carrying out roadside bombing," she said.

Another officer said that the militants have shifted from roadside bombing and turn to ambushing convoys instead. And as she was discussing this very subject with the officers, bullets came pouring into the convoy like a pouring rain.

 "At that moment, officers in my vehicle ordered everybody to be on the floor. I crouched to the floor. Just seconds after I was on the floor of the car, many rifle bullets managed to penetrate to the seat that I just left, he said.

"I am frightened because if I still sat there, I would have surely been dead. The bullets went through to my seat," she said.

Viriya said she ordered the driver not to stop the vehicle for fear that a gunfight would be inevitable. Afterwards, after the initial inspection, it appeared that the militants were aiming for the tires as areas near the wheels were riddled with bullets.

 Viriya said she had never thought that this kind of incident would happen to her.

She said she and her staff have been visiting the deep south province about once a month and that everybody is well aware of the nature of their projects and initiatives.

"I am sadden for what had happened. However I am not angry and forgive to those who did the attack. They should have understood that we come to help. I would like to ask that don't do this again. Don't harm people who know nothing and did not get involved in the conflicts," she said.

Despite the attack, Thanpuying Viriya vowed to continue her works for the people in the south.