Dec 3, 2007 (DVB), The township chairman of the Three Pagoda Pass border town in Mon state was shot and seriously wounded on 28 November, according to township residents.

Former army officer Tin Win Ko was shot by two unknown men on a motorbike at around 7pm on 28 November as he was on his way home from a teashop, an eyewitness said.

"The gunmen drove by him and shot him with a pistol. The first shot missed, and the second shot hit him on his chest," said the eyewitness.

"Then he took another hit on the lower part of his body."

He was admitted to Sangklaburi hospital after the attack, but was then transferred to Kanchanaburi hospital later due to the seriousness of his wounds.

The authorities in the town have been placed on high alert to look out for any suspicious people.

One township resident complained about the level of government scrutiny.

"There are officials from different organisations all over town looking for suspicious characters. We can't even walk freely at night," said the resident.

Township residents described Tin Win Ko as corrupt and a notorious womaniser.

The Three Pagoda Pass, Phayathonesu in Burmese, is located on the Thai-Burma border across from Mae Hong Son in Thailand.

Reporting by Naw Noreen