Security forces and intelligence agencies were cooperating around the clock throughout the restive southernmost region -- comprises three border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa was quoted by Bangkok Post online as saying on Friday.

On April 28, 2004, more than 100 militants launched terrorist attacks on 10 police outposts in Pattani, Yala and Songkhla provinces in southern Thailand. 32 gunmen retreated to the 425- year-old Krue Se Mosque, regarded by Muslims as the holiest mosque in Pattani. The attack ended, resulting in the killing of about 30 suspected insurgents.

Gen Yutthasak said he would travel to Yala province on Friday with Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit before Prime Minister Yingluck's visit to the deep South on Sunday.

"I believe the visit of high-level officials will boost the morale of troops in the deep South and I think nothing will happen because the army, police and villagers have always been working together and monitoring the situation," Yutthasak said.

More than 5,000 people have been killed and over 8,400 injured in the three southern border provinces and four districts of Songkhla since violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, an agency that monitors the conflict in the southernmost provinces.

Last month, a total of 56 people were killed and 547 wounded in insurgency-related violence in the region. s