The Buddhists of south Thailand are being increasingly attacked by murderous Islamic groups: Fearful Buddhists rally in Thailand’s Muslim south.

NARATHIWAT, Thailand (Reuters) - Buddhists in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south have gathered for a morale-boosting rally after the beheading of a Buddhist man this week stoked fears of sectarian conflict in the restive region.

Tension between Muslims and Buddhists, who are the overwhelming majority in Thailand but are outnumbered four to one in the deep south, is on the rise after five months of attacks on government officials, teachers and security forces.

The Thai government called off talks between the military and a Muslim separatist group on Tuesday because of the beheading and an attack on a Chinese shrine popular with Buddhists.

Some Buddhist temples have been ransacked and three monks killed this year. The unrest burst into major bloodshed on April 28 when police and soldiers killed 108 Muslim attackers, including 32 who had taken refuge in a mosque.

The Lim Ko Nhieo Chinese shrine in the town of Pattani is next to Krue Se mosque, where the 32 militants were hiding after an earlier shootout.

“In the past, when monks went out for alms, children helpers followed to help carry food,” said Phrakru Praphassorn Sirikul, abbot of the temple that hosted the gathering to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

“But nowadays when they go out, soldiers carry M-16s to protect them. This is very ugly,” he said.