The army is prohibiting people in the southernmost provinces from wearing military-style uniforms in a fresh attempt to curb violence caused by suspected insurgents who disguise themselves using a military look.
These people in uniforms make people believe they are soldiers in order to stir up violence, damage public areas and create disorder, according to an order issued by 4th Army chief Pornsak Poonsawat on Thursday.
The move came as the insurgency in the deep South, which had eased these last few months, flared again with more frequent reports of casualties caused by armed militants.
To prevent and relieve violent situations, people must not wear military or soldier-like uniforms in those areas, Lt Gen Pornsak said, referring to the three predominantly Muslim provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, as well as four districts in neighbouring Songkhla -- Saba Yoi, Thepha, Chana and Na Thawi.
Violators will be "jailed for between one and 10 years", according to the order.
The southern unrest continued yesterday when two police officers in Pattani and a soldier and four paramilitary rangers in Narathiwat were wounded by bomb blasts.
The first detonated in the late morning while Pol Snr Sgt Maj Prasoet Phiola-o and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Kittiphan Aksonkaeo were tightening security on a route used by teachers in Ban Tha Ya Lo in Nong Chick district.
The explosive device, believed to be a homemade bomb, went off as the officers passed close by, police investigators who inspected the crime scene said yesterday.
The two, who were being treated at Pattani Hospital, sustained serious injuries.
In Narathiwat's Sungai Padi district, five of six men attached to the 48th Ranger Regiment were hit, also in the late morning, by two bomb blasts while they were patrolling a section of road close to the Deng-Paluru municipality rail route.
According to investigators, attackers believed to be hiding by the side of the road detonated the first bomb but missed their target.
The men in the patrol were unhurt and fired shots as they tried to beat a retreat.
However, they only managed to proceed about 15 metres before being stopped by the second bomb, which injured five of them, the investigators said.