Two killed in Thai south ahead of Ramadan

The victims were identified as Pol Senior Sgt Major Wicharn Namikul, 52, and Useng Yusoh, 21, a resident of Tambon Satengnok, Yala.

Wicharn was shot dead as he was hit at close range with three shots and a gunman who came from behind on a motorbike, police said.

Useng's brother, Mahyuding Yusoh, 36, suffered gunshot wounds from the attack and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

In Narathiwat, combined forces confiscated three M16 rifles, one AK47, one shotgun, 200 litres of fuel and scores of rounds in a Rusoh district.

The shakedown came a day before Muslims in the restive region prepared to observe the holy month of Ramadan. In a concession to local concerns about the holiday, the army said it would lift a curfew imposed since March on two of the most violent districts in Yala province from September 12 to October 21.

More than 100 suspected insurgents have been arrested since Saturday and taken to detention camps at army bases, where they are questioned and often go through "reeducation" programmes. They are required to be released after 30 days unless they are charged, but can be detained again in subsequent security sweeps.

Meanwhile, Yala provincial authorities provided Bt500,000 to the family of the late Aliyah Maeae, the deputy villager chief killed in a shootout with suspected insurgents.