Police inspect the scene of a roadside bomb attack in southern Thailand on Thursday.
Three soldiers were killed and five more wounded in the carnage, just a few hours before the start of peace talks in Malaysia between the Thai government and Muslim rebel groups fighting for autonomy in the south.
At the conclusion of the talks, Thailand's National Security Council chief said both sides acknowledged the importance of reducing the violence.
Those wounded in Thursday's attack were treated in a local hospital.
At least 27 people have died in southern Thailand since an agreement was reached at the end of last month for talks.
There's been resistance to central rule from Bangkok for decades in the predominantly Muslim south.
More than 5,000 people have died since 2004 when the separatist insurgency resurfaced after simmering for decades.
Both sides are due to meet again at the end of April.
