A couple were shot dead and their motorcycle stolen in Ra-ngae district of the southern province of Narathiwat on Friday.

The two victims were identified as Mr. Paisal Joongsakul, 65, and his wife, Mrs. Sumon, 58.  They were each was shot twice and their bodies were found lying on the Hurupareh-Chulaborn road in Tambon Tanyongmat.

Police said the couple had been riding their motorcycle to their home after visiting Tanyongmat market to buy meat and vegetables for sale to villagers at their small food shop.

Two men on a motorcycle, believed to be insurgents, gave chase and the pillion passenger pulled a 9mm hand gun and fired four shots into them.

After the shooting, police in all 13 districts of Narathiwat were alerted to look for the victims’ black-red Honda Wave motorcycle, which authorities suspect will be used to carry a bomb.