Counter terrorism exercise conducted in Thai South

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) - Concerned Thai agencies have jointly conducted a six-day anti-terrorism drill, scheduled for June 30-July 5, in Phuket Province in the Thai South. Thai Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr presided over a ceremony to launch the drill via a video conference from Bangkok on Thursday, in which officers from the concerned agencies participated, including those from the National Security Council, the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the Royal Thai Police, the Counter Terrorist Operations Centre. General Udomdej said Thailand has to be well-prepared to cope with, probably, terrorism, which had happened in other countries namely Indonesia and Turkey. General Udomdej pointed out that the exercise will help participants to see obstacles and problems, leading to their adjustments and improved efficiency. The annual joint exercise is being held at a deep seaport in Phuket’s Cape Panwa and the Phuket International Airport, covering rescue operations for drowning people and necessary assistance to tourists in case of any emergency. The deputy defence minister suggested that representatives of the Interior Ministry apply tactics obtained from the exercise to cope with incidents which could occur in the country and commanders of every military unit realise the importance of the exercise and make use of it. The exercise was launched in the wake of a latest deadly attack at an international airport in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 28, killing at least 41 people and injuring scores of others. (TNA)