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Published on August 22, 2007

Mavi Chom-Upai, 41, was slashed to death with a machete in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district on Monday night while guarding a convenience store.

Police said the motive behind the attack was unknown but Mavi was the second guard to be attacked with a machete at the same location in recent months.

In neighbouring Pattani, Land Department official Tha-nong Chuchuay, 48, was shot dead while riding a motorcycle to work yesterday morning. Three gunmen on two motorbikes opened fire as he was about to enter the grounds of his office. He tried to shoot back with his pistol. Police believe the attack was part of the violence that erupted in the deep South at the beginning of 2004 and has claimed more than 2,300 lives.

More than 300 soldiers and police yesterday raided and searched 10 spots in five villages in Pattani's Thung Yang Daeng district. They arrested 12 suspects, including key militants Hama Buenae, Usaman Awae-busa and Sama-eh Makeroh.

Meanwhile, more than 500 new graduates applied for a test to become teachers in the restive region on the first day applications could be made.

The high number was contrary to expectations that people might fear for their safety due to violence in the predominantly Muslim region. Teachers are often targets for violence.

An official expected more than 5,000 candidates might apply for the examination this year, almost the same as last year.

Narathiwat's educational region one will be open to applications until next Monday and will appoint 665 teachers this year.

Prasomsri Nualnai, from Trang, said if she passed the exam, she would be willing to be a teacher in the region in order to help develop education for children there.

"No, I am not afraid, as everybody must die eventually. I intend to teach here in the deep South to help uplift education. Education is a way to end violence. I believe educated people will not commit violence," she said.