A local election candidate was shot dead outside his home in Pattani, in an attack police believe may be politically motivated.
The victim, Manase Lohkor, 53, was found lying in a pool of blood outside his house in tambon Tha Nam, Panare district, at about 2am yesterday. He was a candidate for tambon administrative organisation chief in the April 19 election.
Pol Col Apakorn Wirupak-arak, the Panare police chief, said Manase was hit by seven rounds from military-grade firearms, with more than 10 spent M16 and AK cartridges recovered at the scene.
Investigators indicated the attack occurred after supporters who had gathered nightly at a campaign tent outside his home had left. Manase was clearing the area when at least two gunmen, believed to have been hiding near a wall, opened fire.
He said police officers have launched a manhunt, deploying security forces to seal off the area and examine surveillance camera footage and forensic evidence. Initial assessments suggest the assailants were likely local.
Police are focusing on political motives, noting Manase was a frontrunner with strong community backing after narrowly losing a previous election by about 80 votes. However, personal conflict and regional unrest have not been ruled out.
Later that morning, his funeral rite was held about 1km from the scene.
The killing came hours before bomb blasts struck three locations in Panare district, causing damage but no casualties.
