The killing of two senior Buddhist monks at Wat Rattananuparb in Narathiwat by gunmen last Friday was not related to any religious conflict with local Muslims, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Tuesday.
He admitted there was a misconception that this had played a role in the attack, which also left two people injured.
"We must not misunderstand what happened," he said, adding that residents of the predominantly Muslim areas who had spoken to authorities confirmed the slayings were not instigated by a religious dispute.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) understands this as its representatives have repeatedly toured the deep South, Gen Prayut said.
The government is not complacent about the security problems in the far South, he said, as observers question whether insurgents are stepping up their attacks ahead of the general election, planned for Feb 24 but which is now delayed and bereft of a fixed date.
Several groups are believed to be orchestrating attacks to "elevate" their profiles, the premier said.
"But we must not play into their hands. They are out to cause chaos, in the hope this will heap pressure on the government," he added.
The government remains committed to the peace talk process involving various insurgent groups as part of a comprehensive strategy to deal effectively with local security issues, Gen Prayut said.
The National Human Rights Commission and the United Nations are also keeping a close watch on developments in the far South, the premier said.
In a statement issued earlier, he said the attacks were an attempt to internationalise the South's struggle for autonomy through the media.
The incidents that took place on Friday were intended to "undermine the morale and patience of security officials" seeking peaceful solutions to the South's political problems, he said.
They aimed to "provoke authorities to use force in retaliation, so that this would induce international involvement or intervention by international organisations".
On Friday, five military rangers were wounded in a bomb blast while patrolling a road next to rail tracks in tambon Todeng of Sungai Padi district.
Hours later, gunmen shot dead two senior monks and injured two others at Wat Rattananuparb in the same district.
Gen Prayut said Tuesday there are many security-sensitive areas in the deep South, including temples, schools and businesses. "Even soldiers are at risk," he added.
Local people must lend a hand if security protection measures were to be implemented effectively, the premier said, adding some have shown resistance claiming the measures infringe on their rights.
Gen Prayut said the safety of the general public should trump all other concerns.
