School's first day greeted with bombing

In Narthiwat's Bacho district, a roadside bomb aimed at eight-man security details securing a rural road leading to a local public school. No injuries were reported.

Authorities immediately unleashed 80-strong personnel to conduct a mop up operation but came out with no information leading to the attackers.

Sanugan Inthrak, chairman of Federation of Narathiwat Teachers said he was satisfied with the overall level of security provided to the teachers.

In Srisakorn district of the same province, Che-mamah Che, 66, the owner of a local teashop, was shot dead in front of about five customers. His body was riddled with four bullets from a gunman who was riding pillion on a motorbike and fired at close range.

In Yala's Than To district, a combined forces of about 50 security personnel cut off villagers in this highly contested district to carry out what appeared to be a blind sweep. Two men were taken in for questioning from the operation.

Authority said Doramae Donu, 24, had .357 handgun in his resident. It was not clear if the gun was registered and some electrical wires that could be use in roadside bombing operation.

Than To's district chief, Surachai Wongsupalak, said Doramae will be detained under the emergency law that permits detention without trial.

Surachai said two other suspects residing in the area had fled as the villages were being surrounded.