Thai PM calls for security boost for teachers

BANGKOK, December 5 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called for increased teacher security in the restive south, following a string of shootings targeting school staff lately. The order came one day after schools in insurgency-hit Thailand’s south resumed their classes Monday after the shooting death of a school headmaster late last month. Hundreds of schools in the southern provinces – Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala – were closed last week in protest of the government’s mishandling of unrest in the region. Nantana Kaewjan, a female school director, was gunned down by insurgents in Pattani's Nong Chik district on November 22. In Tuesday’s meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck also ordered speedy and fair compensation to the family of the victims. Attending the meeting were Defence Minister Sukhumpol Suwannathat, Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan, Police Commissioner Police General Adul Saengsingkaew, Army Commander-in-chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha and National Security Council’s Secretary Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabut. (TNA)