Islamic separatists allegedly bombed a convenience store in southern Thailand.

The suspected terrorists reportedly planted an improvised explosive in front of the Mini Big C shop in Narathiwat province before detonating it in the early hours of April 4.

Police Major Traipob Donprailao of the Chanae Police Station said cops were notified by residents at around 2:18 am.

He said: 'Scraps of an improvised explosive device made with a gas cylinder were found on the road. There were also fuel canisters left nearby which were likely intended for arson.

'There were no injuries since the convenience store closes at 11 pm.'

The blast had damaged the store's windows, an electric pole, and a tea stall a few feet away.

Officials said CCTV footage has been obtained showing several masked suspects appearing to plant the bomb.

The video reportedly showed four people arriving at the scene on two motorcycles at around 1:46 am. They were said to have placed a gas cylinder at the base of an electric pole in front of the shop before leaving.

The cylinder exploded around 30 minutes later.

Police Colonel Narawee bin Wae-arong, superintendent of the Chanae Police Station, said: 'We believe this attack was carried out by members of an insurgent group in retaliation against authorities following the arrest of six suspects in Chanae district.

'Those suspects were detained for stealing a pickup truck used in a robbery at a construction material store in Ra-ngae district on March 11.'

Islamic separatist terror attacks target the three southernmost provinces of Thailand - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - next to the border with Mulsim neighbors Malaysia. Thai state employees and infrastructure are often hit while attacks on civilians are rare.

Officials believe the conflict dates to a deal in 1909 that the British Empire struck to incorporate the Muslim region into the Siamese mainland.

The region's culture is more similar to Malaysia and dramatically different to Buddhist Thais causing decades of tension that lead to the emergence of separatist groups fighting for independence in the 1960s.

The struggle has continued ever since with more than 7,344 people killed and 13,641 injured between January 2004 and March 2022.

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office warns against all but essential travel to the region while Canada's government warns its nationals to 'avoid all travel' to the three provinces.