Security measures stepped up in Hat Yai, amid peace talks in Malaysia

SONGKHLA, March 28 (TNA) - Security forces are taking special precautions to protect Hat Yai, Thailand's business hub in the southern Songkhla province, as representatives of the Thai government and insurgent groups in the Thai far South are holding their peace talks in Malaysia on Thursday. Police, soldiers and volunteers have operated checkpoints on three main roads accessing to Hat Yai and have carefully searched suspicious vehicles and persons to prevent any untoward incident during Thursday's peace negotiation. Volunteers have also conducted foot patrol in business areas of Hat Yai around the clock and police, including plain-clothes ones, have heavily been deployed to guarantee security there. Songkhla Governor Krissada Boonrat told reporters that security measures have been stepped up in Hat Yai, Muang, Chana, Thepha, Saba Yoi and Na Thawi districts. The governor asked internet users not to report violent incidents, if any, on social media; otherwise, they could cause general people and tourists to panic. Meanwhile, violence has continued in the troubled Thai deep South. In Choh Airong district of Narathiwat province, three paramilitary rangers were killed and five others were injured in a bombing on Thursday morning, when the military officers were leaving their base at the Choh Airong Temple for a village protection mission. (TNA)