Thai attacks prompt border patrols

Southern Thailand is under martial law following a wave of attacks

Thailand and Malaysia have begun joint border patrols after a spate of attacks in southern Thailand.

The land and air patrols started amid concern about Thailand's response to the violence and its putting three provinces under martial law.

Thai officials have appeared divided over who was behind the raids, blaming both bandits and Muslim separatists.

But local politicians, religious leaders, and citizens have all voiced doubts that separatists were involved.

The BBC's Nualnoi Thammasathien, who recently visited the south, says few local people believe separatists were responsible for the attacks, although they admit small groups are still operating.

Groups responsible for the Muslim insurgency of the 1970s and 80s are considered largely obsolete. As for new terror networks with links to Jemaah Islamiah, most think it is possible, but unlikely, our correspondent says.

Thailand's military called on people to disregard reports that military units were in some way involved in the raid.

Border security

The border patrols were originally planned for March, after Thailand and Malaysia agreed to resume them as part of security pacts signed following the 11 September 2001 terror attacks.

Malaysia and Thailand last combined patrols, in the 1970s, to prevent Malaysian insurgents from launching attacks from border hideouts.

SOUTHERN THAILAND Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s Government downplays any separatist threat, calling them bandits Thailand wakes to separatist threat

Malaysia's Deputy Defence Minister Shafie Apdal urged local people not to be alarmed at the presence of soldiers and police in the northern state of Kedah.

In Thailand, BBC Bangkok correspondent Kylie Morris says that what is causing the most anxiety in the border area is the government's reaction, rather than fears of more attacks.

In the latest development, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra blamed Islamic schools in the south for training militants.

The Thai authorities have also sparked anger among local Muslims by fingerprinting students and detaining two Muslim teachers in connection with the attacks.

Former Foreign Minister Dr Surin Patsuwan accused the government of being too heavy-handed.

Bangkok was "scratching the surface of the problem, not really understanding the root causes of the problem, and not sensitive enough to the feelings and sentiments of the people", he told the BBC.

Four soldiers were killed in last week's attack on an army camp in Thailand's southern Narathiwat province.

Simultaneously, 21 government-run schools were set on fire. Two police officers were killed in a string of bomb attacks that followed.

Defence Minister Thammarak Issarangun Na Ayutthaya said on Tuesday that no arrests had been made, but some suspects have been interrogated.