Beheading in Thailand

Suspected Muslim militants beheaded a Buddhist man and shot dead two other civilians in southern Thailand yesterday.

The head of the 40-year-old farmer was found next to his body and that of his 35-year-old wife at the entrance to their rubber plantation in restive Yala province, police said. Both had been shot and a handwritten note next to the bodies said, "We shall kill all Thai Buddhists."

A 74-year-old man was also shot dead while riding his motorcycle in the same province.