Schools reopen, tightened security in Thai Far South

THAILAND, May 16 (TNA) - Most schools nationwide have been reopened for the new semester, causing traffic congestion, while security measures have been heightened in the violence-plagued Thai Far South to protect teachers, students and the general public. In Bangkok and surrounding areas, heavy traffic was observed on early Monday morning, when the students were back to their schools, while security in the troubled Thai Deep South have been stringently tightened. Marine soldiers were seen patrolling in the Thai Far South and several of them drove vehicles to provide protection to local teachers who were advised to also stay alert and follow security measures mapped out by local security authorities. Combined government forces plus volunteers were posted at every school in the Thai Deep South, aimed at boosting public confidence. Besides, security officers have been posted in areas at risk and checkpoints have been set up on roads and highways. Meanwhile, Manop Boontawiroj, President of Yala Teachers’ Federation, told reporters that teachers’ morale in his southernmost province is high as they have gained more confidence in security provided by government authorities, acknowledging that no teachers or educational officials in Yala have been killed by insurgents over the past year. (TNA)