Friday, November 5, 2004
Suspected Muslim insurgents kill seven in south Thailand
Associated Press Bangkok, Thailand, November 4
Fear spread among Buddhists in southern Thailand on Thursday after suspected Muslim insurgents gunned down two police officers and five civilians in less than 24 hours, officials said. Attackers also seriously wounded a Buddhist monk, the officials said.
Police Maj. Kaow Kosaiyakanon was killed when a man posing as a buyer entered the Buddhist's combination house and grocery store, shot him and fled on a motorcycle on Thursday, said Police Lt. Praman Yakphan.
Kaow, 53, of Yala province, was the most senior police officer recently killed in Thailand's Muslim-dominated south, where escalating violence has left more than 400 dead this year. The government blames Islamic separatists, while Muslim leaders cite discrimination and officials' heavy-handed tactics against the religious minority. Outside the south, most Thais are Buddhists.
© HT Media Ltd. 2004.