A man was shot dead in his own rubber plantation on Saturday morning in the latest insurgent attack in the restive southern province of Narathiwat, Thai News Agenct reported.

The victim was identified as Sama-ae Royee, 58, the owner of a rubber plantation in Narathiwat's Rangae district.

He was gunned down by presumed insurgents after he finished tapping his rubber trees and was returning to his home.

Sama-ae died at the scene near his motorcycle as he was shot twice in the neck and back.

The victim was the latest of more than 5,000 deaths, including local residents, security officials, monks and insurgents, who have been killed since violence erupted in the restive southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in 2004.