A civilian and four rangers were injured in a series of suspected insurgent attacks yesterday in Narathiwat and Pattani provinces, police said.
In Narathiwat, police responded to a bomb attack on Saiban Laloh-Tamayung Road in tambon Chengkhiri, said Pol Lt Dawyot Keyura of Si Sakhon police station.
One local resident was injured.
Police said a combined team of police officers, soldiers, bomb disposal personnel and forensic authorities were sent to investigate the attack and collect evidence.
The bomb disposal team said they found shrapnel scattered at the scene.
Investigators said they had to step carefully through the debris for fear of triggering traps set by insurgents to hit emergency responders.
A booby trap was believed to be hidden in a large can that was buried in the ground.
Another suspected bomb was also found just 1m away from the first one, they said.
Police said they found a white cloth hanging on a tree with a message in Thai reading "Sovereign State of Pattani" near where the bomb went off.
The injured resident, Ayub Asay, 28, sustained shrapnel wounds on his legs and was taken to a nearby hospital by a passer-by, police said.
The passer-by told police that Mr Ayub had came to an area near the bomb to clear grass when the white cloth attracted his attention.
He took a closer look and stepped on the bomb, which was buried underground.
Police said they believe insurgents are responsible for the attack and that it was targeting authorities.
Another bomb went off in Pattani in the late afternoon in Kho Yai village, Yarang district.
Police who responded to the scene said they found a damaged truck belonging to the Special Task Force of Rangers Unit 22 with its tyres blown out, said Pol Col Somboon Phuengmalai, superintendent of Yaring police station.
Investigating police said they also discovered shrapnel, a cylinder and a bomb crater.
Four rangers, who were on a security detail to protect a group of teachers, sustained injuries, police said.
They were identified as Jessada Nopollung, Karun Kosinchai, Pornthip Nawan and Yuthana Pratumyam.
Meanwhile, Siriphong Hantakul, director-general of the Department of Lands, said yesterday his department has stepped up its efforts to issue land title deeds for villagers in the deep South.
He said authorities at his department are inspecting vacant lands in the southernmost provinces and in an area near Budo-Sungai Padi National Park to ensure villagers are able to occupy them as their future homes.
Mr Siriphong said the department plans to issue land title deeds for villagers in line with the government's policy to solve the insurgent violence and socio-economic problems in the deep South.
It also serves as a way to reduce the gap between prosperity and poverty.