A defence volunteer was killed and four others were injured in a roadside explosion in Janae district of Thailand’s southernmost province of Narathiwat today.

The incident occurred just a few days after peace talks, between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgent group, resumed in Kuala Lumpur, after about a year of suspension pending the outcome of the May 14th general election and formation of the new government.

According to Janae district police, the five defence volunteers were travelling in an armoured pickup truck, en route to the Chang Phuek Tambon Administrative Organisation, to pick up some tents.

As the vehicle was travelling along Road 4217 in Ban Kumoong village, insurgents hiding in roadside bushes detonated an IED hidden under the road.

The powerful explosion flipped the truck onto its side and killed the driver instantly.

Reinforcements arrived at the scene and took the injured and the dead volunteer to the district hospital.