Father and son among three killed in far South

Three security volunteers were shot dead in an attack in Pattani in broad daylight yesterday, despite a claim by the government that the volatile situation in the deep South has improved.
Num Saksongmuang, 57, his son Surasak, 27, and Somsak Kunchum, 42, were on their way to a school in Ban Pasae village in Yaring district at about noon when two men on a motorcycle stopped them reportedly for a chat on Highway 2020.
Police said four insurgents in a pickup, two of them in the back, then approached. On seeing the pickup, the men on the motorcycle drove off. The men in the pickup were armed with assault rifles and opened fire on the victims’ vehicle.
To make sure the victims were dead, the insurgents dragged the bodies of father and son from the vehicle onto the road.
Before fleeing the scene, they snatched an AK47 and a M16 assault rifle from the victims, plus 9mm and 38mm handguns. They also put spikes on the road to delay any attempt by officials to chase them.
Police found about 100 bullet shells on the road.
Violence continues daily in |the deep southern provinces although the government has claimed the situation is improving, particularly after dozens of alleged insurgents agreed to talks with the authorities.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul met his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman in Kuala Lumpur during a two-day official visit that started on Sunday.
Surapong said they talked about the situation in the deep South, which borders Malaysia. They agreed relations were at excellent level and looked forward to more cooperation on several aspects, including construction of two bridges over the Kolok River at the border.
The insurgents have attempted to create a perception that the countries have conflicts by erecting the Malaysian flag in many areas where attacks have taken place.
Surapong said he asked Anifah to help the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation understand the situation in the deep South, saying the OIC may be misinformed as things had improved in many areas.