People wary as tyres set on fire in many areas

The situation in Pattani's Panare district was tense early yesterday after tyres were found burning simultaneously at several spots on Thursday night.

Pattani police chief Maj-General Ekapop Prasiwattanachai received reports that tyres had been set fire to at nine spots, including the Panare-Sai Buri Road. Reports of the fires came after Ekapob led a joint team to search a house in Yarang district.

An 18-year-old man was found inside the house armed with a gun and in possession of ammunition and about 7 kilograms of urea, which can be used as a fertiliser and a precursor for explosives. The man was detained for questioning.

In a separate incident, Nipahari Laehae, 32, was shot dead in Pattani's Kapho district while he was travelling along the Ban Beu Lor Rd. Also found at the scene was an abandoned motorcycle, four methamphetamine tablets and a bottle of cough syrup.

Initial investigation showed that Nipahari was riding his motorbike home, when another bike caught up with him and a man who was riding pillion shot him. After the victim fell off his motorcycle, the gunman walked up and shot him in the head.

Police are trying to determine the cause of the shooting.