Police believe one group of militants is responsible for two separate, brutal attacks on police and soldiers in Pattani and Narathiwat this week.

Narathiwat police chief Lt-Colonel Sompong Tangtua said information pointed to three wanted insurgents.

"We believe the same group is responsible for both attacks. We will have arrest warrants soon," he promised after meeting with police, Army and forensic officers at Pattani.

The three wanted men were identified as Wae-ali Waji, 40, of Narathiwat, and Manu Mama, 34, and Ni-asae Dormae, 36, both of Rangae district in Narathiwat. Wae-ali has previous convictions, police said.

On Wednesday suspected insurgents killed seven soldiers execution style after disabling the vehicle they were travelling in with a roadside bomb.

Two days later suspected militants opened fire on a Narathiwat checkpoint, killing two policemen and then setting their bodies on fire.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visits the region today and tomorrow. As well as checking on government initiatives he will meet officials and residents.

Meanwhile, in Yala, Bannang Sata Wittayakom School director Sithichai Lenukul was concerned violence would prevent pupils from attending in the new term later this month.

He said parents would be reluctant to send their children to school, fearing for their safety.

"My school has 210 students. We are not sure, so far, if they will come when the new term opens. Their parents tend not to allow them to come if they are not sure of their safety," he said.

A curfew was imposed on the province's Bannang Sata and Yaha districts in March.

In addition, the school has no driver for a bus to transport students from outlying areas. One driver resigned in fear and there have been no volunteers since.

Students and teachers are popular targets for insurgents and are often attacked as they travel to and from school.