08 JULY 2013 - MAYO, PATTANI, THAILAND: A Thai soldier pauses on the side of a road in Pattani province after a truck carrying eight of his colleagues was destroyed by an IED Monday. Eight Thai soldiers were injured - one seriouly and seven with minor injuries - when their truck was hit by an IED outside Mayo, Pattani province in southern Thailand Monday. The soldiers were returning from a teacher protection mission when their truck ran over the explosive. The attack was thought to be conducted by Muslim insurgents who have been battling the Thai government for greater autonomy. The conflict in southern Thailand has claimed about 5,000 lives since 2004. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ