Separatists made several attacks on the facilities in the southern Thai provinces of Songkhla, Pattani and Narathiwat as a result of which three people were killed, five more were injured, Khaosod reported.

The attackers broke into the clock roadside shop in Pattani, poured gasoline and set the room on fire. The staff of the shop managed to escape through the emergency exit. Later police found an explosive device located near the burned-down shop of gas station.

Among the three killed Wednesday night were Sanya Samankandee and Dolmalek Leedeah, two security guards at an Isuzu showroom in the Chana district of Songkhla province. They were shot dead by militants who then bombed the building.

The third to die was soldier Noppol Kaewpetch, who was shot when four gunmen on two motorcycles opened fire at about 10pm on a military facility in Pattani province.

Southern militants rarely take responsibility for their attacks, and the military avoids giving it, preferring to play down the conflict and pin attacks on criminals.