Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered stiffer security in areas prone to attacks after insurgents on Sunday night launched coordinated attacks in Yala and Narathiwat provinces, government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.
Maj Gen Sansern said bus stops and crowded places are among the areas where security is to be tightened.
Gen Prayut also ordered that the people wounded in Sunday's attacks receive the best medical care, and instructed security forces to hunt for the attackers.
The government will not tolertate any unlawful action, and will step up operations against insurgents, influential criminal figures, drug dealers, illegal oil traders and human traffickers, the spokesman said.
Under the prime minister's order, the crackdown on these illegal activities must be effective within six months to restore peace in society and do away with all forms of violence and killing. The culprits must be brought to justice as soon as possible, Maj Gen Sansern said.
The prime minister asked that people to cooperate fullly with the government and authorities to end the violence and loss of lives and property.
The names of people providing information will not be revealed, he said, and they will be rewarded if it is found to be correct.
Security problems in the far South, in particular, have affected development and investment in the region, Maj Gen Sansern said.
"If the southerners want to see improvements, they should unite to prevent people with ill intentions towards Buddhists and Muslims by putting pressure on them. Those villains should be given no space to stand in society," said the government spokesman said