Malaysia supports neighbouring Thailand's plan to build a security fence along its common border to contain deadly unrest in its Muslim-majority south, said a deputy defence ministera minister.

"They have a right to build the fence on their side. There should not be any problems. It will be good," said Shafie Apdal, deputy defence minister.

Shafie said the fence would help security forces from the two countries tackle smuggling, illegal entry and other cross-border criminal activities.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday that Thailand will build the fence along parts of its border with Malaysia as part of efforts to ensure security in its troubled southern region.

Thaksin has expressed grave concerns over a recent wave of violence in the five southern provinces bordering Malaysia, beginning with a raid on an arms depot in Narathiwat province last month which killed four soldiers.

Since then dozens of attacks have targeted police, government officials and even Buddhist monks, three of whom were brutally slashed to death with machetes as they walked the streets seeking alms.

The troubled provinces are strung along a narrow peninsula and separated from Malaysia only by a porous border which can be easily crossed without passing through checkpoints. - AFP