ID :
284099
Sat, 05/04/2013 - 14:35
Auther :

More security checkpoints set up in Thai deep South

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) - Security authorities have set up more checkpoints in the violence-plagued Thai deep South, following a brutal shooting by suspected insurgents last Wednesday night, which killed six people, including a three-year-old boy. Deputy Army Spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree told reporters of the move on Saturday when he also condemned the shooting in Muang District of Pattani Province. Colonel Winthai said that combined police and defence volunteer forces will focus on providing security in urban areas of the Thai far South, especially in the three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, while soldiers will set up more security checkpoints on outskirt areas. Urging people of the southernmost Thai region to condemn violent acts by suspected insurgents using religion in committing crime against the innocent, the deputy spokesman explained that deeds carried out by the government officers are aimed at providing protection to the innocent people and they need cooperation, understanding and morale from the locals. The deputy spokesman insisted that the government side has been patient and will never fall preys in resorting to violence in dealing with the suspected insurgents, who are criminals and violate religious principles. Meanwhile, Thai-Muslims in the southern border region, who hold two nationalities of Thai and Malaysian, have started crossing the border to cast their votes in the forthcoming general election in Malaysia on May 5. Malaysian tourists in Thailand are also returning home for the May 5 national poll, resulting in an active atmosphere at a border checkpoint in Sungai Golok of Narathiwat Province; while prompting authorities at checkpoints on both sides to have stepped up their security measures against any untoward incident and cross-border crime, including goods smuggling. (TNA)

X