Five people have been killed in southern Thailand after grenade and gun assaults over the weekend. The Muslim-majority region has seen a series of attacks by separatists over the past two decades.



On Saturday night, a group of assailants opened fire and detonated explosives at a district office in Narathiwat province on the Thailand-Malaysia border. Local officials say two defense volunteers were killed and more than 10 others were injured.



Also on Saturday night, an attack took place in the neighboring province of Pattani, where three military rangers were killed in a roadside bomb explosion.



Following the incidents, Malaysia's foreign ministry advised Malaysians to postpone nonessential travel to the provinces. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said tighter security is needed at night.



Conflict has long persisted in Thailand's deep south, where Muslim militants are fighting for greater autonomy. The violent struggle has claimed over 7,000 lives since 2004.