The killing of a Malaysian visitor in southern Thailand is an isolated case, Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said Saturday.

"This is an isolated case. People intending to visit southern Thailand must exercise caution," Musa was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Musa said he has instructed Malaysian officers to investigate the case and is awaiting a full report from the Thai police.

Che Ayub Yaakup, 54, a fisheries officer was among four people shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the latest round of violence in a village in Narathiwat, southern Thailand.

"Although the victim is a civil servant, his trip to southern Thailand was not on official duty," Musa told reporters here.

Che Ayub, said to be attached to the Terengganu Fisheries Department in northern Malaysia, had gone to southern Thailand to visit friends there.

Though there is no travel advisory for Malaysians to go to southern Thailand, they are advised to be extra cautious, Musa added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2006)