Call for Thai unity amid violence
Burned school in Thailand's south
There have been almost daily attacks in recent months
Thailand's interior minister has appealed for national unity after a series of co-ordinated attacks in the south of the country.

A policeman died and 10 civilians were injured when suspected Muslim separatists attacked the town of Yala.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss how to combat the unrest.

Hundreds of people have died in the Muslim-dominated south since violence flared there a year and a half ago.

Highly organised

"This is the time of national crisis - I would appeal for all Thai people to be united and join hands to fight against the people who have bad intentions toward the country," said Interior Minister Chitchai Wannasathit - who also is a deputy prime minister.

Thursday's attacks happened after a power blackout in Yala, the provincial capital about 1,100km (690 miles) from Bangkok, officials said.

The blackout was caused by a bomb at a power station.


VIOLENCE-HIT SOUTH
Map showing Thailand's southern region and the city of Yala
Home to most of Thailand's 4% Muslim minority
Muslim rebels fought the government up to the mid-80s
Suspected militants have upped attacks since 2004, targeting Buddhists
Security forces' response criticised by rights groups

Thailand's restive south

Once the city had been plunged into darkness hotels, restaurants, a cinema and shops were among those targeted by gunfire, more bombs and Molotov cocktails.

The attacks were highly co-ordinated, officials say, with the gunmen peppering the roads with spikes to prevent the security forces moving around the town.

Electricity has now been restored and police spokesman Gen Sanirot Thammayot said the situation was under control and urged residents "not to panic and to carry on with their lives as normal".

Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, with its 4% Muslim population concentrated in the troubled southern provinces - Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Narathiwat.

More than 700 people have been killed in the region since violence erupted around 18 months ago.

In recent months, Buddhist monks, teachers, police and soldiers have been ambushed and murdered on an almost daily basis.