Five killed in S Thailand violence

In the latest attacks, two Buddhist men were shot dead around 2:00 pm in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province while riding their motorcycle, police said.

"Santi Puiprom, 40, was shot in the head and body and died immediately, while Suthep Sanad, 54, was shot in the head and died on the way to the hospital," Tak Bai district police lieutenant Supachoke Wiwattanasin told AFP.

"Police believe this must have been done by the insurgents."

Earlier Sunday, two teenagers and a monk were killed at a temple in Pattani province's Panarae district that police believe was deliberately torched by suspected Islamic separatists.

The boys appeared to have been shot before the attack, while the monk died after being slashed on the neck at the Promprasith temple, police said.

"About 20 men invaded Wat Promprasith in the early morning around 2:15 am and set fire to the temple and the two monks' dwellings," district police captain Kittipat Sangwisuth told AFP.