93 Killed in Battles in Thailand

At least 93 people were killed today when police clashed with suspected Islamic militants in southern Thailand, officials said.

The fighting erupted when militants launched attacks on police bases and checkpoints in several districts of Yala and Pattani provinces, said Yala Gov. Boonyasit Suwanarat.

He told reporters that most of the dead were young men attempting to steal weapons from police and army bases. At least three policemen and one soldier were among those killed.

It was the worst fighting yet in the south, where almost daily attacks by gunmen have left nearly 160 people dead this year.

Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat are the only Muslim-majority provinces in mostly Buddhist Thailand. Muslims there have long complained of discrimination in jobs and education.