July 9, 2008
Bangkok - The Human Rights Watch yesterday warned that beheadings, live burnings and torture were becoming common in the restive south.
More than 3,300 people have been killed since separatist unrest broke out in January 2004, and militants' tactics have become increasingly gruesome.
"Insurgent groups continue to unleash brutality on civilians to demonstrate their power and weaken the credibility of Thai authorities," Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
Four people were shot dead in Pattani on Monday while a couple hired as construction workers were shot on their way to work on Tuesday.
More than 20 Buddhist Thais have been beheaded by insurgents across the southern border provinces in the last four years.
Authorities have made little progress in identifying the militants, who rarely claim responsibility for their attacks.
