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 In Bangkok, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat announced a plan to visit the restive south where more than 3,400 people have been killed since January 2004.

Somchai did not give exact date but added that the visit will be made in the coming days. 

The attack came as the army pickup transporting six Special Forces soldiers entered Ban Champakor in Narathiwt's Bacho district.

Attackers used M16 and AK47 from both sides of the road, leaving the vehicle riddled with bullets. They retreated back into the jungle area after exchanging fire for about five minutes, authorities said.

 The killings came as the predominantly Muslim region celebrated the end of the holy month of Ramadan, known locally as Hari Rayor.

 Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Somchai said he was concerned with the situation in the deep South and added that he would personally oversee handling of the unrest.

"I have to take responsibility of this southern issue by myself as the officials in the area are already working to full capacity," he said.

Meanwhile, in Yala's Yaha district, gunmen shot dead two young men Tuesday evening, The two were identified as Bukari Daeboh, 25, and Sudeng Sungaibadu, 23. Police found shotgun shells and a metal casing of an AK47 round near the two victims.

Separately, in the same district, Darululome Nibongbaru private Islamic school came under arson attack Tuesday evening. Firemen rushed to the site and succeeded in containing the fire from spreading to the rest of the building.