Junta orders tight security during Ramadan, Buddhist Lent

BANGKOK, July 9 (TNA) - Tight security has been ordered in the Thai far South during the ongoing Ramadan month of Muslims' fasting and the upcoming three-month Buddhist Lent. Colonel Banpot Pulpian, Spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), told journalists on Wednesday that Deputy Army Chief General Udomdet Sitabutr, who is also Secretary General of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), made the instruction when he chaired a video conference with ISOC authorities, held earlier in the day, to discuss and follow up the security situation in the violence-plagued Thai deep South. Colonel Banpot revealed that General Udomdet expressed his concern and asked relevant units to ensure public safety during the remaining period of the Ramadan month and the forthcoming Buddhist Lent, starting from July 12. According to the spokesman, General Udomdet also ordered that the outpost of the ISOC, Region 4, integrate strategic intelligence to support strategic actions of operational units and strengthen local communities and villages by encouraging local authorities and people to take responsible for the safety of local people's life and property. The spokesman acknowledged that General Udomdet also demanded follow-ups on the adjustment of local government agencies' plans in accordance with state security measures. Besides, Army and NCPO Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha has assigned the National Security Council (NSC) to handle peace negotiations between state authorities and insurgency movements in the Thai far South and a process of building mutual trust, then signing an agreement and finally working out a roadmap to develop sustainable peace in the southernmost Thai region. (TNA)