A Buddhist ceremony has been held under tight security in southern Thailand, aimed at boosting morale after a string of violent attacks.
Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh presided over a candlelit procession to mark Visakha Bucha, the religion's most sacred day.
It followed the ransacking of a Buddhist shrine and the beheading of a Buddhist farmer earlier this week.
Monks, schools and security officials have all been targeted since January.
It is still not known who is carrying out the attacks, although Muslim militants in the region are suspected.
"Now there is conflict which has never happened in our country before," Mr Chavalit told a crowd of around 1,000 people at the ceremony, which was held in daylight for security reasons rather than after dark, as is traditional.
"Not only Buddhism in these provinces has been badly affected, but Islam also has been affected despite the two religions living harmoniously together.
"We must preserve such unique relations and not allow such alienating sentiments to interfere in our lives," he said.
Mr Chavalit said the conflict had prompted some 40 Buddhist temples to be abandoned by their monks.
According to the Bangkok Post, Buddhists in Todeng village, Narathiwat province, have been given guns and ammunition to protect themselves, and will receive training in self-defence from the military.
The Buddhist rubber tapper who was murdered at the weekend was from Todeng. Ten of its locals are reported to have been killed since April.
Talks on the ongoing attacks - due to have involved a separatist Muslim leader and the government - were indefinitely called off on Tuesday.
Mr Chavalit said he was worried the talks would jeopardise security.
As many as 200 people have died in the violence since the start of the year.