Four Thai soldiers died in a bomb attack by suspected militants on Thursday afternoon in Thailand's southernmost province of Pattani.

The bomb, which was hidden under a road at Manaedalae village in Krapao district of Pattani province, exploded at around 14:10 p.m. local time as the four soldiers in their small truck were passing by, a military officer told Xinhua during a telephone interview.

According to the officer, the four victims were traveling back to their military base in another village nearby after having their physical check at a military camp in city of Pattani.

Thailand's South comprises mainly three southernmost provinces --Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat -- and some part of Songkla province. Insurgent violence has killed over 3,500 people in this restive South since its resurrection in January 2004.

Source: Xinhua