ID :
292859
Sat, 07/13/2013 - 13:29
Auther :

Security in Thai far South remains tight

BANGKOK, July 13 (TNA) - Security in the Thai far South has remained tight despite Friday's announcement by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) militant group that it is reducing violence in the Thai deep South during the ongoing Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Suspicious vehicles were searched thoroughly at police checkpoints in Songkhla province on Saturday, especially on roads leading to Hat Yai, known as Thailand's southern shopping hub by international tourists, and those connecting to four other districts of Songkhla, located adjacent to the southernmost Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces. Dato Sri Ahmad Zamzamin bin Hashim, former director of the Malaysian External Intelligence Organization, acknowledged on Friday that Thai authorities and the BRN have agreed the ceasefire during Ramadan, from July 10-August 18, 2013, covering Thailand's three southern border provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala, as well as five districts in Songkhla, including Na Thawi, Sadao, Thepa, Chana and Saba Yoi. Meanwhile, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party, suggested although the BRN had announced the ceasefire during the ongoing Ramadan, the Thai government needs to continue providing normal security to people living in the Thai restive South. Surin Pitsuwan, former secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), proposed that the Thai government and the militants hold discussions and find the root cause of the violence in the troubled Thai far South and adhere to agreements they reach in the future. Surin, who is also a former Thai foreign minister, expressed his optimism that the ceasefire pledge by the BRN should lead to permanent peace in the future, as the Thai government is heading towards the right direction in solving violent unrest in the Thai deep South. (TNA)

X