Thailand conveys condolences on terror attacks in Indonesia

BANGKOK, January 15 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has expressed condolences to the Indonesian government and people, on behalf of the Thai government and people, in relation to a series of bomb attacks and gun battles in the heart of Jakarta on January 14. In his letter, the Thai prime minister also wrote that his government is ready to support Indonesia in any possible way during this difficult time. Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee quoted the Thai Embassy in Jakarta as confirming that no Thai people are among casualties having reported so far in Thursday's violence in the Indonesian capital. The spokesman said his ministry has asked government agencies and an association of Thai people in Indonesia to take good care of Thai citizens there, advising Thai visitors to Jakarta to report their arrivals to the Thai Embassy there. Deputy National Police Chief Police General Srivara Rangsiphramanakul stressed, in the meantime, that authorities concerned are implementing strict security measures to protect government offices, embassies and tourist destinations in Thailand, the stepped-up measure of which has been in effect since a bombing at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok in mid-August 2015. The Thai deputy national police chief insisted the public can live their normal life, as intelligence reports have found no suspicious movements in Thailand. According to international media reports, seven people were killed and about 20 others were injured in a series of bombings and gunfights between Indonesian security officers and suspected militants at the Sarinah shopping mall in Jalan Tamrin downtown area of Jakarta, located near the Indonesian Presidential Office and many foreign embassies and United Nations regional offices, on January 14. (TNA)