Muslim separatists threaten revenge

SEPARATISTS in southern Thailand urged all Muslims to rise up and warned that the killing of 108 militants by security forces this week would be paid for “with blood and tears.”

They also warned visitors to stay away from some of the most popular tourist sites in southern Thailand sending shivers through an industry that forms a huge chunk of the country's economy.

Already, some governments were issuing travel warnings. Australia and New Zealand advised their citizens to defer travel to Thailand's south because of the violence.