The third victim was Mae Kaen's defense volunteer, Ahama Laharn.

All three were travelling in the same pickup truck when a 15-kilogramme bomb exploded on the roadside. They were rushed to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to death.

Three other officials also suffered injuries from the attack.

Police said the bomb was set off manually via electrical wire that extended to wooded areas far from the paved road.

The targeted officials were returning from Tambon Lohsaithong where insurgents set fire on an elementary school the night before.

Niphan Chantrasute, the district clerk overseeing security matters, described Chayaphat's death as a great loss and said he was admired for his effort to get close to the local community.

He said Chayaphat repeatedly warned his staff not to be complacent with security measures.

Mai Kaen district has came under immense spotlight since last week after three officials from Mai Kaen  two kamnans and the Tambon Administrative Oganisation chief, were attacked by gunmen using automatic rfiles while travelling on the outskirts of Pattani in Tambon Taluboh.

In Yala's Banang Sta district, combined forces of soldiers and police raided Tambon Klern Banglang and Tambon Banang Sata, and seized 18 powergel sticks and detained 17 people for questioning.

Monday evening, Mahyeng Cheteh, 56, shot dead by gunmen using AK47 while returning home from the evening prayer from a local mosque in Tambon Kawa in Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district.

The Nation