BANGKOK, Thailand: Suspected insurgents set fire to government buildings, shops, cars and utility poles at more than 70 locations across four of Thailand's southernmost provinces over the weekend. Authorities said at least three people were injured in the coordinated series of arson attacks.

More than 7,800 people have been killed in provinces along the Malaysian border since 2004, when the latest phase of a long-running insurgency led mainly by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) began.

There were at least 78 incidents across four provinces: 40 in Narathiwat, 21 in Yala, 15 in Pattani and two in Songkhla. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Most of the attacks happened on the evening of August 22 in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla. Some further attacks took place the next day.

Explosives also damaged a railway line in Narathiwat, forcing authorities to suspend train services on that section of the route.

Authorities have imposed a curfew in Narathiwat. At a meeting on August 23, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul instructed security forces to take steps to protect the public.

Thailand's deep south, which is mainly Muslim and ethnic Malay, has faced an insurgency for decades. Separatists have been seeking greater autonomy or independence for the region.

The area was part of the independent Malay sultanate of Patani before its incorporation into Thailand was formally completed in 1909.

The latest attacks come as Thailand is trying to restart peace talks with the BRN, the main separatist group fighting in the region.

Chief negotiator Thanut Suvarnananda said earlier this month that Bangkok wanted the talks to go beyond exchanging concessions for reduced violence. He said the government also wanted to address political grievances, including issues related to governance.

Peace talks facilitated by Malaysia have repeatedly stalled since they began in 2013.

Lieutenant General Norathip Poinok, who commands the Thai army in the southern region, told local media on August 24 that authorities had received intelligence nearly two months earlier warning about possible attacks on government buildings, shops and power infrastructure.

Norathip said the attacks were carried out in retaliation for government crackdowns on insurgents and illegal businesses. These included drug and contraband trafficking, which authorities say provides funding for militant groups.

He said the security forces had been warned about the possibility of such attacks before they took place.