BANGKOK - A teacher was shot dead while looking after schoolchildren at a school in restive southern province of Narathiwat on Wednesday, Bangkok post online reported.

The murder occurred about 12.20 pm at Ban Tanyong School in Narathiwat's Bacho district. Four men arrived at the school on two motorcycles, stormed into the school and shot dead teacher Chonlathee Charoenchol.

After the shooting, the killers stole the teacher's car.

Police blamed suspected southern separatists.

More than 5,000 people have been killed and more than 9,000 hurt in over 11,000 incidents, about 3.5 incidents a day, in Thailand's three southern border provinces - Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla - since violence erupted in January 2004, according to Deep South Watch, which monitors the regional violence.