Five killed in troubled Thai south

Five people, including two army rangers, were killed on Friday in four separate attacks in Thailand's restive south, police said.

The incidents took place in Pattani, one of three predominantly Muslim provinces near the border with Malaysia.

The rangers, both Muslims, were killed when a powerful bomb exploded in the middle of the road as they drove their pickup truck in the province's Sai Buri district early Friday.

Police also said three civilians were also killed in separate shootings carried out by unidentified gunmen riding on motorcycles.

More than 3,000 people have been killed since January 2004 in Narathiwat, Yala, Songkhla and Pattani, which were part of an independent Muslim sultanate annexed by majority Buddhist Thailand a century ago.

No credible group has claimed responsibility or stated political demands for the near-daily shooting, bombings and arson attacks.

YALA, Thailand, June 5 (Reuters)