BANGKOK, Nov. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The continual violence and unrest in Thailand's deep South has caused over 700 casualties, with over1,000 cases reported, Defence Minister Gen. Sumpan Boonyanun was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying Saturday.

    Gen. Sumpan said Friday that since the current spate of unrest in the country's deep South began on Jan. 4, there have been more than 700 casualties recorded so far, with about 340 deaths and about 400 injuries.

    He said that the casualties came from over 1,000 violent cases.

    The state authorities are resorting to many approaches to quellthe southern unrest, said the defense minister.

    The defense minister also vowed that the state authorities would exercise patience at the utmost, and would avoid using forces if not really necessary. Enditem