Bangkok (AsiaNews/agencies) – There is no let-up in inter-religious and separatist violence in Thailand. Today – 28 June – three Buddhists were shot dead in three different locations in the south. Police said the victims were "normal people, without enemies".

Srang Saewong, 56 years, was struck on his way to work in Bannang Sata district in Yala province. The police said he was mute and had no enemies. According to public security authorities, the murder "is part of a campaign of political agitation". Tonkui Saephoo a 72-year-old poultry farmer was killed in a shop in the district of Yaring in Pattani province. In the same province, unknown assailants shot school janitor, Thanat Nilvisut, 52 years. In the province of Narathiwat, local teachers' homes were attacked by gunfire and one person was wounded. Police suspect Islamic insurgents are responsible.

More than 720 people have been killed since January 2004 in similar attacks or in clashes between police and Muslim groups. The majority of people living in Thailand's southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat – bordering Malaysia – are Muslim. The ethnically Malaysian Muslims complain that they are "second-class" citizens – in a country with a Buddhist majority of Thai ethnicity – and they want secession.

Chidchai Vanasathidya, Minister for the Interior, admitted that security forces in the region do not have adequate means to stop the violence. He promised "more preparation and better equipment and most of all, more funds". He added that "attacks against innocent and defenseless people are unacceptable".

Recent weeks have seen an escalation of violence against ordinary people, who have been killed on the doorstep of their homes or in the street on their way to work, just because they belong to a different faith or hold another political viewpoint. In the three southern provinces, at least seven beheadings have been carried out this month, as compared to three in January 2004, and tens of other civilians have been killed in ambushes, Muslims included.

According to several analysts, the Islamic rebels want to create a situation of social chaos to reach their goal of total separation by 2006. The situation is aggravated by the fact that, according to local sources, the police response to insurgents is ever more violent. Some days ago, the Education Minister proposed that teachers from southern regions – targeted by assassination attempts to the extent that they must often go to work in school under escort – be supplied with pistols at a cheap price.

In recent days, Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, denounced rebels who are hiding beyond the border with Malaysia to organize attacks. "To demolish this organization, we are seeing the complete cooperation of neighbouring States, where rebel leaders seek refuge to hold meetings". (PB)