Rubber tapper Doloh Saha, 48, and his son Arduenan Saha, 24, were shot by suspected Muslim insurgents while working in a plantation in the Saiburi district of Pattani. Arduenan died at the scene while his father was taken to hospital.

In Yala province, two brothers were shot dead at a rubber plantation. Isma-ae Masae, 23, and Arwae Masae, 22, were attacked while riding their motorbike back from work in Than To district.

Separately, Uma Sa-I, 54, was injured in a shooting in Yala's Raman district. Police are investigating if the attack was part of the insurgency or stemmed from a personal conflict.

Two primary schools in Pattani's Saiburi district were set ablaze.

Fire completely destroyed the one-storey Ban Saemo School, damaging teaching kits and computers beyond repair.

An arson attack at Lahan Mitraparp Community School caused minor damage. Security officials saw the fire and managed to put it out, said police. The guards also saw three men walking through the two-storey building, but they managed to escape.

Six telephone booths in Saiburi district were also set on fire, said police.

An office of Tabing's Tambon Administrative Organisation was attacked by four gunmen who opened fire and threw incendiary devices. The office sustained minor damage and no one was injured.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in the Muslim-majority South since early 2004.

The Nation

Pattani