Hod Seethongplerng, 39, was found on the side of the road in a pool of his own blood. Police said he had been shot in the head at close range by gunmen who came from behind. Hod was riding his motorbike at the time of the attack.

More than 2,000 people have been killed in the restive south since the separatist insurgency erupted in January 2004.

Lack of draft laws 'a problem'

The government was slow in initiating draft laws to assist its administration, as less than 50 bills were passed to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for consideration, an NLA member said yesterday.

Akapol Sorasuchart said the government should take the opportunity to initiate draft laws which would benefit the national administration. As the NLA was founded under "special" political circumstances, the drafts could be passed more smoothly than under an elected parliament, he said.

In four months of NLA sessions, however, only 49 drafts had been passed from the Cabinet to the NLA, he added.

Chuwit contrite over 'Dracula' jibe

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Chuwit Laksanawisit yesterday apologised to seven former Chat Thai candidates for having accused them of being political parasites and comparing them to Dracula.

During a trial in the Criminal Court, Chuwit extended his regrets to Krissada Intamara and six other former Chat Thai MP candidates for Bangkok, saying he was not referring to them but party outsiders when he said they were a "blood sucking Dracula".

Krissada accepted the apology and withdrew his libel suit against Chuwit. The court allowed the case to be withdrawn since the offence was personal.

Let morals be your guide: Sonthi

The Council for National Security (CNS) yesterday launched a campaign urging all Thais to use "morals" as a guide in their lives to avoid another national crisis in the future.

CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the CNS was determined to implement all possible means to keep the country stable, safe and create progress in various fields.

As the people were divided because the country had been ruined by corruption and political conflicts, Sonthi believed the campaign would re-build national unity.