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Published on September 24, 2007

Ban Kayae's Sulaiman Hami, 47, sustained three gunshot wounds before his assailants fled.

According to witnesses, Sulaiman stopped at a roadside tea shop in Duzongyor tambon when he saw his friends sitting there. As Sulaiman parked his motorcycle and walked toward his friends, a man on the pillion of another motorcycle opened fire on him.

Five gunshots were heard before Sulaiman pulled out his pistol and shot back.

The attackers fled the scene after Sulaiman returned fire.

Sulaiman was rushed to Narathiwat Rajanagarindra Hospital with injuries to his left hip and left arm. Police found five assault rifle ammunition casings and 15 pistol casings at the scene. Police said they believed the attack was linked to the ongoing insurgent violence in the deep South.

In the neighbouring province of Yala, knife-seller Jan Janthawong, 52, was shot dead while working at his stall in Muang district.

Witnesses said two men approached Jan appearing as potential customers but suddenly opened fire.

Police said they believed the gunmen intended to spur unrest in the province.

In the latest development regarding an explosion that injured nine children late Saturday night in Yala province, Muang district police station superintendent Colonel Poomipetch Pipatpetchapoom said that two suspects were being pursued.

Yala Hospital director Dr Wattana Wattayakorn said eight of the injured children had already been allowed to return home. The children are all between six and 14 years old.

However, Wattana said 11-year-old Rusamarin Phupoln-garm remained hospitalised because she had lost a massive amount of blood and needed close medical supervision due to damage to her leg bones.

"But she's out of danger," Wattana said.