Perks approved for teachers in risky Thai south

Thailand is hiking the pay and benefits of teachers in its insurgency-hit south after two were killed last week, adding to the deadly toll inflicted on state school employees since an Islamic separatist rebellion flared in 2004.

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved increased supplemental allowances for teachers, more generous insurance and upgraded security to help them cope with the continuing threat of violence.

Over the past six years, some 137 school personnel have died in militant attacks in Thailand's three southernmost provinces, the only ones with Muslim majorities in predominantly Buddhist nation. The region's Muslims have long complained of discrimination by the central government.

In all, more than 4,200 people have died in the strife.