Security tightened as schools in Thai deep South reopened

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND, May 16 (TNA) - Security measures have been heightened in the violence-plagued Thai far south, as almost all local schools were re-opened for the new semester on May 16. In Narathiwat Province, a total of 379 schools began the new semester on Friday morning smoothly without any reported unusual incident, thanks to the tightened security provided by local security forces, comprising those of soldiers, police and defence volunteers. Only Baan Khok Ta and Islam Bamrung Schools in Narathiwat's Su-ngai Padi District remained closed due to damage from fires which broke out at both schools' buildings last week. The two schools' executives and teachers, as well as local villagers have donated their money to purchase new school equipment, as the two schools were set to re-open on May 19. In nearby Yala and Pattani Provinces, local military and police officers also strictly implemented intensified security measures as planned, namely regular patrols around local schools and their vicinity, resulting in no reports of any untoward incident as well. (TNA)