Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan has decribed the killing of a Malaysian in a southern Thai village of Kampung Kokje in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, as an isolated case.

"This is an isolated case. People intending to visit southern Thailand must exercise caution," he told Bernama.

Musa said he had instructed his officers to investigate the case and was awaiting a full report from the Thai police.

"Although the victim is a civil servant, his trip to southern Thailand was not on official duty," according to Musa.

Visiting friends

Che Ayub Yaakup, 54, a fisheries officer, from Lubuk Kawah in Bachok and his Thai penghulu friend only known as "Yusuf" are among four people shot dead by unidentified gunmen at about 2pm (Malaysia time) in the latest round of violence in the troubled southern Thai province.

Che Ayub, said to be attached to the Terengganu Fisheries Department, and had gone to visit friends in Kampung Kokje near Tak Bai.

More than 1,400 people, including three Malaysians, have been killed in attacks mostly in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces since unrest erupted in 2003.

Musa advised Malaysians visiting southern Thailand to be extra careful.