The rights group said in a report released on Tuesday that four people had died during torture by the army and police in the Muslim-majority south, where separatist violence has raged since 2004.

'I want to reassure you that it's not government policy and it was not carried out systematically. The Thai government does not support extra-judicial power,' Mr Abhisit told reporters yesterday.

Amnesty said it had identified 34 cases of torture, adding that the number of incidents meant they could not be dismissed as the work of a 'few errant subordinates'.

Mr Abhisit said he would investigate if there were any extra-judicial practices by forces combating the insurgency, but he also questioned the accuracy of the report.

He cited the inquest last month, which ruled that a Muslim leader died after beatings by soldiers during interrogation, as an example of how the authorities do not tolerate or cover up torture. He is due to make his first visit to the south on Saturday since coming to power last month.

More than 3,500 people have been killed since separatist unrest erupted in early 2004 in southern Thailand.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE