The attack, which occurred at about 7.55pm in Khok Pho, involved about five or six gunmen.
Colonel Pramote Phrom-in, spokesman for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command, said there were concerns insurgents would blame the attack on the state and it would result in retaliatory attacks on innocents.
Offering condolences to the victims’ families, Pramote condemned the attackers and said police had collected over 30 spent bullets at the scene.
He asked the public not to jump to conclusions and give police investigators time to probe the case.