Yaring's Tambon Tali-ai also witnessed a major attack on Tuesday evening when suspected militants ambushed a small military convoy that was hit by a 10-kilogram roadside bomb, sending 11 soldiers flying in all directions. Their military transport vehicle was damaged and veered off to the side of the road along with two army motorbikes. A brief gunfight ensued. It was not clear how many militants took part in the attack.

In Tambon Nambor in Panare district, a bomb set off remotely hurt a soldier who was taking a break at a rest area near an elementary school.

In Tambon Bor Thong of Pattani's Nong Chik district, a villager working under a government-sponsored employment scheme was shot at close range as he was walking home. Police said many of the workers have come under attack by insurgents who suspect them of collaborating with authorities.

A bomb planted underneath a bridge in Narathiwat's Bacho district went off as nine solders were driving across it. No casualties were reported.

Police said the bomb failed to penetrate the bridge but the explosive force had jolted the troops, who were on their way to Tambon Panare to provide security for a football game organised by local officials.

In Narathiwat's Tambon Tanyongmas, one soldier suffered shrapnel wounds after a military pickup truck with four soldiers was blasted by a roadside bomb. The incident was followed by a five-minute gunfight.

In Yala's Bannang Sata district, more than 200 residents took to the streets to demand the government lift the curfew in the restive region.

They complained that they can no longer go out to tap rubber, which must be done in the coolness of pre-dawn hours, but the ban on outdoor activities from 9pm to 4am had hurt their livelihoods and one of the main industries in the South.

The Army imposed the curfew in Bannang Sata and Yaha districts after violence in the area became too much for authorities to contain.

The Nation

Pattani