A multi-force security team searches a house in Yala yesterday as part of raids on 22 locations which turned up seven suspects and evidence in connection with the bombing that left many people dead on Tuesday.

Saho Umar, 18, died and five other people were seriously injured while having dinner in a restaurant in Narathiwat's Rusoh district, police said.

Usman Talae, 25, was shot dead in a separate attack in Rangae district.

Two more gun attacks took place in Sukirin and Sungai Padi yesterday morning. Suraya Bounchit and Kariya Yoh were injured while they were leaving home for work.

In neighbouring Pattani's Sai Buri district, electricity authority worker Sommai Saengkhum, 32, was injured in a gun attack at about 8am yesterday while riding his motorbike to work.

In Yala province, about 250 officers from the military and police raided 22 spots in Raman district and detained seven suspects, including three women, in connection with Tuesday's lethal explosion.

They are now being held for questioning at Ninth Police Region forward command in Yala without charge in accordance with the Emergency Law, police said.

Authorities are struggling to contain a spate of violence that has erupted in the predominantly Muslim region since the beginning of 2004. More than 1,200 people have died in the troubles.

Army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who was assigned by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to take charge of the security operation, is working to adjust the strategy for the restive region. He has already sought advice from Anand Panyarachun, former chairman of the now-defunct National Reconciliation Commission (NRC).

The Army plans to dispatch 2,000 more troops to the region. They will have a command of the local Malay dialect, hopefully enabling them to have more access to and get more co-operation from residents.

The community has given a mixed reaction to the idea.

Former NRC member Ahmed Somboon Bualuang welcomed the troops, saying it would give the Army a better understanding of the different culture in the deep South.

But Youth Muslim Association of Thailand president Nimanase Sama-ali said more soldiers alone would not solve the problems. The presence of the troops, whatever language they speak, is against peace and reconciliation, he said.