A Buddhist monk and three civilians were shot dead and a policeman and five other civilians wounded in a drive-by shooting in Mae Lan district of Pattani province on Thursday morning, reports said.
The attack occurred on a local road at Ban Mai in tambon Mae Lan of Mae Lan district about 6.20am, according to the reports.
A team of policemen was escorting monks collecting alms along the road when gunmen riding pillion on two motorcycles fired at them. Police fired back and the assailants fled.
A monk, whose name was not known, and three civilians died on the spot, one policeman and another five civilians were wounded in the shooting.
The dead civilians were identified as Somchai Khunkhliang, her young son Thitiwat and Chamnian Phuttharit.
The injured -- Pol L/C Udomchai Piewpong, Chinkrit Prommanee, 13, Chai Thongjua, 75, Khlao Laksap, 55, Paripath Kulnarong, 23, and Rampan Aksornkaew, 57 -- were taken to hospital.
Police blamed separatist militants.