December 7, 2004

Deputy governor dies

The Pattani deputy governor who was shot while visiting a village security team in Yaring district died yesterday from heavy bleeding in the stomach.

Soonthorn Ritthipakdee, who was reported in satisfactory condition days after the Nov 23 shooting, went into a coma on Saturday night and was moved back to Prince of Songkhla Hospital's intensive care unit, doctors said.

It was found that he had developed complications, including blood-clotting in the lungs. The hospital is to give a press conference on his death this evening.