His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday lambasted "people who act like bandits and are a threat to society" for having caused "serious suffering" to Buddhist villagers in the deep South.

He also called for an urgent solution to the problem.

It was the first public reaction from the Palace since insurgents launched violent attacks on Buddhist villages in Yala recently.

"I sympathise with you for your frustrations. The entire nation and Their Majesties the King and Queen have concern and sympathy for you. Your sufferings are serious," he said.

"It's really unacceptable for a group of people who act like bandits and are a threat to society. They also fail to respect human rights," he said. "These events need to be solved urgently."

The Prince was speaking to a group of 100 Buddhists who had fled their villages in Yala to take refuge at a local temple.

He was on a visit to the Muslim-majority border province and

was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasmi.

The Prince asked the affected villagers not to give in to the violent tactics used by the insurgents. He said they should return to their homes after things return to normal.

"If you leave your houses and farms, you will need to start all over again. That way, you will allow bad people or enemies to make use of your properties. They will be able to make money from your properties and, as a result, they could do more bad acts and become bolder in doing bad things," the Prince said.

"You'd better think about how to make your neighbourhood safe," he added.

One villager said that attacks, often with heavy weapons, had taken place in his village over the past three years.

"Southerners have been killed every day. We can't bear it any more. We won't return there [to their villages] again," he said.

The Prince was heard consoling the man and told him that he did not have to think about returning home at this time.

"You don't have to go back to your home now.

"What you should think about is whether there are any [safety] flaws in your homes and plantations and what you can do about it," he said.