Thailand extends emergency rule in violence-hit south

Shortly before the announcement, a 24-year-old man was shot and killed by suspected insurgents on his way to work at a factory in Yala province, part of the region covered by the state of emergency. The man, identified as Suebsak Chansupha, was shot by a man riding on the back seat of a motorcycle, said local police Lt. Suwat Chanchao.

The state of emergency, due to expire Thursday, was first imposed in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces in July and extended at three-month intervals. It allows the government to impose curfews, prohibit public gatherings, censor and ban publications, detain suspects without charge, confiscate property and tap telephones.

It also makes officials immune from "civil, criminal and disciplinary penalties" while carrying out acts including killing civilians under its provisions.