Security tightened southern Thai provinces following spate of bomb attacks

BANGKOK, May 15 (TNA) - Authorities have stepped up security measures in many areas of Thailand’s southern region following a series of bomb attack in Yala province Thursday night and Friday morning. Maximized security measures were in place Friday in seven districts of Songkhla province, which have economic significance or are adjacent to violence-plagued provinces of Yala and Pattani. They include four districts adjacent to the southern border provinces namely Chana, Thepa, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi districts. The three other districts of Muang Songkhla, Hat Yai and Sadao have economic significance. Checkpoints were set up in these areas to search cars and motorcycles while security authorities equipped with cell phone jammers were seen inspecting suspicious vehicles in the hearth of Hat Yai. In Sungai Kolok district of Narathiwat province, authorities also operated two layers of checkpoints to screen vehicles entering municipal areas. Some 20 people were injured in bomb attacks that occurred in 20 locations in Yala province’s Mueang district last night and this morning. The National Human Rights Commission this morning condemned the bombings, saying that the acts were inhumane and violated human rights and humanitarianism. (TNA)