Rebels kill two Thai children in bus attack

Three gunmen opened fire on a school bus near Thailand's border with Burma yesterday, killing two students and wounding about 15 others.

Thailand's deputy defence minister, General Yuthasak Sasiprapa, said the shooting was probably by one of Burma's ethnic minority guerrilla groups. It may have been intended to "create more misunderstanding" between Thailand and Burma.

Relations between the countries have deteriorated following cross-border shelling, that was linked to the guerrillas' struggle against Burma's military government.

Mr Yuthasak said hundreds of Thai soldiers and border police were searching the area. The gunmen, wearing hoods and military fatigues, fired assault rifles at the bus. A girl said the gunmen sprayed the bus with bullets from both sides of the road.

A spokesman for the main Karen rebel group fighting Burma's government denied any involvement. (AP)