Thai inquiry launched into attack

NONG CHIK, Thailand, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Theera Mintrasak, governor of the Pattani province of Thailand, said Tuesday he would initiate a formal inquiry into an attack on a military base.

The shooting took place in the Nong Chik district on Sunday night. Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat held a news conference Tuesday to give details of the incident.

Thammasarorat said M79 grenades were fired at the operational base of Ranger Company 4302 early Sunday evening. Assailants quickly fled. The base radioed for assistance and ranger units were dispatched to find the attackers. Rangers stopped a pickup truck for a search when some of the men on-board got out and opened fire on the rangers. The ensuing firefight killed four people and wounded five. Thammasarorat would not comment on how many of the casualties were military personnel.

Bangkok Post reports the families of those killed have been compensated by the provincial government with 100,000 baht (about $3,233). The wounded were given an undisclosed compensation.

The inquiry is expected to take 30 days, and will be followed by legal action against anyone found to be responsible for starting the clashes. Minstrasak said the inquiry committee would find out exactly what happened so as to ensure justice.