Southern Thai mayor killed in suspected insurgent attack
He was killed in his garment factory in Narathiwat province.
NARATHIWAT: A southern Thai mayor was killed in a brutal attack believed by insurgents on Thursday (Nov. 7), it has been reported.
Wichet Thaithongnum, 55, the mayor of Rueso subdistrict municipality in Narathiwat province, known locally as “Mayor Arm,” was shot dead by assailants at his Hand-in-Hand garment factory.
The factory is a key community enterprise in the southern border province, the Thai Examiner reported.
The attack took place at 11:40 a.m. while Wichet was holding a meeting at the factory.
Authorities confirmed that four men, armed with military-style firearms, arrived on two motorcycles, entered the meeting room and opened fire.
They immediately fled the scene after fatally shooting Wichet.
Local authorities were still investigating the motive for the killing believed linked to the insurgency in southern Thailand, which has been ongoing for decades with thousands of people killed.
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