A police officer believed to be under stress opened fire with an M-16 rifle at a police station in Yala, Thailand last night, killing two policemen and injuring nine others and four civilians.

The incident occurred at about 8.30pm local time at the Benang Setar police station as the policemen and civilians were having dinner, said Yala Province police chief Krisada Jandee.

"The assailant opened fire at a group of policemen and civilians having their dinner," he said.

The dead policemen were aged 39 and 44, he said, adding that the police had launched a hunt for the assailant.

The police were also investigating the motive for the shooting, he said.

- Bernama