Thousands of insurgents in far South : Suthep

He called for authorities to do more to quell violence in the area, but offered no specific details on what they should do.

Suthep told reporters the government had not achieved its goal to curb the violence but said he planned to visit the area to talk with local officials and explore ways to improve the situation.

Like other security chiefs before him, Suthep pointed to poverty alleviation, education and development of the local people.

Meanwhile, violence continued with a ranger suffering a serious leg injury after a "secondary" bomb exploded as he investigated a crime scene in Yala.

Chalermrak Rakthong, 24, was rushed to a nearby hospital with his leg was barely attached. The bomb was apparently placed the night before when suspected insurgents destroyed a power line in what appeared to be an attempt to lure security officials to the scene. Such tactics are common in the restive region more than 3,400 people have been killed since January 2004.

Meanwhile, in Pattani, more than 1,000 Buddhists and Muslims from Panare district came together to condemn the fatal shooting of two elderly women - Kimneaw Prakrak, 78, and Kanung Prakrak, 62 - whose bodies were then set alight on Wednesday.

On the same day, Police Private Kraingkrai Pankaew, 24, was shot dead at close range with a 9mm gun in Yala's Banang Sata district.