No change in strategy for resolving southern violence

He urged Thailand's security agencies to be more vigilant and alert to the possibility of being attacked, he said.

He was speaking following the latest insurgency ambush in which five paramilitary rangers were killed.

Suthep, who oversees security matters, led a delegation comprising Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, Chief of Staff Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and top brass to visit the southern provinces.

Admitting that the authorities are on the defensive in the South, and that such a position is a disadvantage in dealing with the insurgents, Suthep told reporters that there will be no change in military strategy to resolve the ongoing violence in the southernmost provinces.

The deputy prime minister urged security personnel to be more alert and more careful to prevent further loss of life.

Suthep was scheduled to visit Sirindhorn military base in Pattani and then visit a special task force unit in Yala Monday.

Meanwhile, intelligence units in the southernmost provinces believed that an insurgent group suspected to be led by Usman Dorkor or Jeh Guzman were behind the Yala ambush.

Usman Dorkor's group, with 7-10 members, was named in the killings two Buddhist monks in Yala several months ago and other killings.

Five rangers were killed and one was wounded in an ambush by at least eight men at 7.30 pm Sunday while they were returning from a mosque to their base after attending prayers and providing security services.