The death toll has risen to 78 in a series of dawn clashes between Thai security forces and Muslim separatists on Wednesday in southern Thailand, authorities said.

Regional police officer initially put the death toll from the clashes in the three provinces of Yala, Pattani and Songkhla firstat 50, then at 60, plus up to five police and army officers.

Thai National Intelligence Agency later updated the number of attackers killed to 73.

Source: Xinhua