Police have launched a manhunt for two young men caught on surveillance cameras fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in Pattani's Nong Chik district on Monday night.
Navapol sae Lee was shot in the head while travelling on a motorcycle driven by his mother, Noknoi sae Lee, on Highway 42 (Pattani-Hat Yai) at Ban Charang in tambon Don Rak at 9.30pm, police said.
The boy's stepfather, Narong Khongthon, 45, who was sitting behind him, was also injured in the attack.
Police said the three were followed by two men on a motorcycle.
The pillion rider opened fire with a 9mm pistol, hitting the boy in the head and Mr Narong in the body and the right shoulder.
Navapol and his stepfather were admitted to Nong Chik Hospital, where the boy was later pronounced dead.
Mr Narong is now in a stable condition, while Ms Noknoi was uninjured.
Pol Lt Col Somchai Janyang, acting chief of Nong Chick police station, said surveillance cameras had filmed the two suspected gunmen. Police have identified the suspects but have not released their names.
Authorities have beefed up security on Highway 42 to curb frequent attacks by insurgents on the route.
Meanwhile, in Pattani's Khok Pho district, three volunteer rangers were wounded in a roadside bomb blast yesterday.
The explosion happened on a local road about 30 metres from Ban Pa Bon School in tambon Pa Bon.
Thawatchai Suksathan, 22, Wisanupong Sinjiang, 23, and Suchat Masuyo, 24 _ rangers providing security for teachers in front of the school _ were wounded, none seriously.
The attackers planted a bomb in a metal box weighing 3 kilogrammes to target soldiers guarding the school. The explosion was triggered by a mobile phone signal.
Authorities blamed the separatist group Runda Kumpulan Kecil for the attack. The school cancelled all classes.
Four suspects travelled to the area on Monday night and turned up at a tea shop in the village, authorities said.
They were believed to have come from Songkhla's Saba Yoi district and arranged the attack with local insurgents.