 Tensions remain high in the south, amid continuing violence |
Thai police have made a number of arrests in connection with violence which has wracked the south of the country since the start of January. Five men have been arrested for a bloody raid on an army arms arsenal, the first of a string of attacks on the military, officials and Buddhist monks.
Police believe one of the five belongs to a Muslim separatist group.
The government has sent mixed signals over who it believes responsible, blaming both separatists and bandits.
Police in Narathiwat, one of Thailand's three Muslim-majority southern provinces under martial law, said in a statement on Tuesday they had arrested five men aged between 20 and 52, and charged them with treason, arson, and robbery.
They are blamed for the 4 January attack on an army base, in which hundreds of guns were stolen and four soldiers were killed.
 | SOUTHERN THAILAND Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s Area beset by poverty and poor relations between local communities and officials |
Police said one of the men was believed to be a member of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional separatist movement. They said he hired the others to block roads with spikes and trees and to burn schools to help those who raided the army base.
Police general Kowit Wattana, deputy commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, told reporters an additional four men were arrested in connection with the arson attack on the schools, according to the Associated Press news agency.
At least 40 Muslims and Buddhists, including three monks, have been killed in 96 separate incidents from 4 January to 18 February in the three southernmost provinces, the army told a Senate committee last week.
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