NARATHIWAT, Thailand -- Lunar New Year celebrations in Thailand's restive south were interrupted this weekend by a series of attacks by insurgent groups, according to local media reports.

Three people were shot dead in the southernmost district of Yala and six soldiers were wounded by a bomb at a military outpost in Pattani district, both incidents occurring on Sunday (January 22nd) night, police said. The Runda Kumpulan Kecil (RKK) separatist movement is thought to be behind the attacks.

Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha said the attack on the military outpost reflected insurgents' desire to drag international groups into the insurgency since Thai authorities couldn't defeat the southern insurgents by force alone, reported The Nation.