Two police critically hurt in ambush

The two officers were wounded and admitted to hospital in a critical condition. They were identified as Sergeant Yusoh Binmalee and Sergeant Paisorn Thanaklam.

The attack came one day after suspected militants shot and killed two 22-year-old soldiers, part of a security detail for local public school teachers, in a drive-by shooting.

In Yala's Muang district, a gunman using an 11mm handgun shot and killed Amand Saleh-man, 16, at close range early Monday morning in front of a convenience store in the district's old market area.

In Narathiwat's Rusoh district, a fake bomb, three kilograms in weight, was placed inside a local shop. Bomb squad officers were called to inspect the package that included a mobile phone, a common device in the restive region for home-made bombs.