Thai soldier shot dead in restive Muslim south

THAILAND: A soldier was shot dead by suspected insurgents Friday while patrolling a busy morning market in southern Thailand's restive Muslim-majority provinces, police said.

The militants stole his M16 semiautomatic rifle before fleeing the market in Pattani, one of three provinces hit by a nearly three-year insurgency that has left more than 1,500 dead.

Bangkok, Friday, AFP