Lt General Ongkorn Thongprasom, director of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-building Command (SBPPC), and Provincial Police Region 9 commissioner Adul Saengsingkaew told a press conference that Muhamad Maso Mama, 28, had been arrested on January 26 and had confessed to stabbing to death two marines held captive by locals in Tanyonglimo village last September.

Investigators accuse Muhamad of being a key member in the militant movement and of involvement in numerous crimes, including the armed robbery of assault weapons and attacks on military bases.

The officials said they had also arrested Chatri Malaheng, 25, for involvement in an arson attack on a DTAC signal tower near the office of the Krongpenang Tambon Administrative Organisation.

A third suspect, Ma Bali Toma, 24, confessed that he had been involved in the murder of Buddhist monks and the burning of Wat Promprasit in Pattani province, the officials said.

The suspect surrendered following the mediation of Suriya Tawanchai, vice-president of the Paper Birds and Flowers for Peace Foundation.

Lt General Ongkarn said officials would treat all three suspects fairly during the judicial process. Suspects who surrendered to authorities might even be released temporarily, he added.

"We respect and will follow the rule of law in treating [the suspects] in order to assure them, their relatives, and members of due legal process," he said.