Rebels kill five in Thai south

Emergency crews rushed to the scene

Five construction workers have reportedly been shot dead outside a school in Thailand's restive south.

Police said Muslim separatists were responsible for the attack in the province of Pattani.

They said the workers were sprayed with bullets when their vehicle was ambushed outside a school.

The attack comes as Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej visits Malaysia, where he is due to discuss the insurgency with his counterpart Abdullah Badawi.

More than 2,700 people have died since violence escalated in the Muslim majority south in early 2004.

The states of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat have been the worst affected by the insurgency.

Mr Samak was expected to ask Malaysia to arrest and extradite two men suspected of masterminding the separatist unrest.