BANGKOK, Thailand –Three men were shot dead in separate incidents Sunday (March 25th) in Thailand's restive southern provinces, The Bangkok Post reported, citing local police.

Police Corporal Ruangrit Saita, 30, was leaving his house in the Yarang district of Pattani province late Sunday when eight militants in black riddled his body with bullets, then fled into the night.

Also in Pattani, defence volunteer Ahamat Duero, 49, was shot dead while driving a pickup truck in Naket municipality.

In Narathiwat province, Adisak Taye, 53, the assistant head of Tha Ruea village, was riding home on a scooter when he was shot dead by a gunman on the back of a motorcycle.

According to Deep South Watch, which closely monitors the conflict, violence in the three southernmost border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat has claimed nearly 5,000 lives since attacks escalated in 2004.