Dozens of militants attacked a security base leaving two injured in southern Thailand.

Around 50 suspected insurgents converged on the police camp before unleashing gunfire and explosives in Narathiwat, early morning on June 28.

Police in the outpost returned fire, sparking a 20-minute long skirmish before the attackers retreated into the hillside forest.

Authorities said two people were injured. They were identified as Sergeant Major First Class Aphisit Srianurak, 43, who was shot in the hip, and defence volunteer Waehumram Waesamo, 41, whose head was grazed by a bullet.

Both were rushed to the Sungai Kolok Hospital Hospital where they were recovering and in stable condition.

Police Major General Maitree Santayakul, commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, said: 'We believe the insurgents intended to assassinate officers and create unrest in the southern border provinces.'

Investigators said CCTV footage showed the suspects had split into three groups before attacking the police base from three sides.

Explosive ordnance disposal teams swept through the scene and defused three undetonated pipe bombs left. More than 100 bullet casings were also recovered.

Deputy Narathiwat Governor Wicharn Chaisetsamphan later led local authorities to Sungai Kolok Hospital to visit the injured officers and offer financial compensation.

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.