Thai police arrest three Muslim separatist leaders

Police in Thailand have arrested three men who they say are leaders of Muslim separatist groups.

The arrests took place in the southern town of Sugei Golok, near the border with Malaysia.

The head of Thailand's police told the BBC that he had personally interviewed the men.

He said they had expressed regret for their actions and called on their followers to end what he called terrorist actions.

He said that one of the leaders, Dayu Thanam, had more than seventy armed supporters.The Thai government put the army in control of four southern provinces, which are predmominantly Muslim, after a bomb attack in December killed three people and injured fourteen.

Correspondents say Thailand believes that the Muslim separatists are based in Malaysia.

Malaysia has denied giving them any support.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service