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Two killed as terrorists wreak havoc on southern Thai economy
An assistant village headman and a local villager were shot dead in Narathiwat, while the long-standing unrest has affected fruit growers in this southern border province. A local assistant village headman, Nimeng Tuenchampakorm, was fatally shot in Rangae district, as he and his wife were traveling to tap rubber early Friday morning. The gunman opened fire at Mr. Nimeng, who died at the scene. His wife, as his passenger on the motorcycle, was unscathed. In another incident, a villager was killed by an unknown number of gunmen. Tuankareeya Pute was attacked in front of his house in Rangae district. In their preliminary investigations, the police believe that the two attacks are linked to the unrest in this troubled region. According to a news report, fruit growers in Narathiwat's 13 districts have been affected by the violence in the area, because traders no longer visit their orchards to buy fruit. Fruit growers must carry their produce, such as durians, mangosteens, and rambutans, to sell along main roads. Grower Sulaimal Ahama said he and his compatriots in Narathiwat have suffered losses because traders are not confident in their safety and simply don't come out to buy their produce any more. Producers must transport their fruit from their villages to sell at the roadside at reduced prices. Their sales have dropped from previous averages of Bt10,000 a day to only 500 baht a day now. Posted by: ryuge 2007-07-13 |
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