Mosque attacked in south Thailand

The attack took place in Yala province, which has been under a curfew since a series of violent incidents last month.

Both Buddhists and Muslims have been attacked in recent weeks - the most deadly incident being the shooting of eight Buddhists in a minibus.

About 2,000 people have died in Thailand's restive south since a resurgence of unrest in January 2004.

In contrast with the rest of Thailand, the southern three provinces are predominantly Islamic, and many of the people living there have more in common with Malays, who live over the border, than with Buddhist Thais.

There are almost daily bombings and shooting attacks targeting representatives of the Thai authorities - police, soldiers, teachers and increasingly ordinary civilians.

Officials blame Muslim insurgents for much of the unrest, although criminal gangs and paramilitary groups are also thought to be behind some of the attacks.

Muslim militants blamed

Army spokesman Col Akara Thiprot said Thursday's attack took place when more than 100 people had gathered at the mosque for morning prayers.

He denied suggestions that the attack could have been an act of revenge by Buddhists, and said he suspected the attackers were Muslims seeking to foment tensions between Islamic and Buddhist communities.

"The insurgents wanted to scare away Muslims who may want to co-operate with authorities in quelling violence," Col Akara told the Associated Press.