One man was killed and 11 others were injured when militants detonated a bomb hidden inside a tea shop in Thailand's southern province of Songkhla Friday morning, police said.

The bomb was detonated by a mobile phone when the shop in Thep district was crowded.

A shop patron died on the spot. He was identified as Imron Rem, 36.

Seven other patrons were severely injured and four others suffered minor injuries.

Police said they suspected that Muslim insurgents were behind the attack.

More than 1,500 people have been killed since the violence re- emerged in Thailand's southern provinces in January 2004.

Source: Xinhua