Thai premier visits deaths town

Thaksin has not apologised

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is visiting the southern town of Tak Bai, where scores of minority Muslims died under arrest two weeks ago.

Most of the 87 victims suffocated to death in overcrowded military lorries after a protest rally on 25 October.

Reprisal attacks by suspected Muslim militants have killed nearly 30 state officials and Buddhist civilians.

The BBC correspondent in Bangkok says the prime minister is unlikely to be repentant about the deaths.

Tight security

Although he has admitted that mistakes were made when the security forces broke up the demonstration, he has so far refused to apologise.

TROUBLED SOUTH Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s Suspected militants have upped attacks this year, targeting Buddhists Security forces' response criticised by rights groups In pictures: Daily life

Before he went to the region, Mr Thaksin said he would instruct the army and police there to act more decisively with militants in the south.

He said that some groups in the area "want to create religious conflict".

"The people in the south do not have religious disputes," he added.

There is concern the attacks in the south will hit tourism - one of the country's most important industries.

The visit of Mr Thaksin, who is accompanied by Defence Minister Sumpan Boonyanun, is being conducted amid tight security.

He attended a ceremony at a Buddhist temple.

More than 1,000 people gathered outside the temple to ask him to end the violence.

"We are being treated like second-class citizens here," a Buddhist woman shouted at the premier, according to Reuters news agency.

"We have been given false hopes by the government. I am urging you... to take drastic and decisive actions against those who have been behind the violence."

Two Buddhists were shot dead just hours before Mr Thaksin arrived, the agency adds.

The prime minister also met members of the business community.