Security tightened in Thailand’s deep South after blasts

NARATHIWAT, Oct 21 (TNA) - Security in deep southern Thailand near the Thai-Malaysian border has tightened after at least five bombs planted by suspected insurgents exploded in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district on Saturday night, police said. At least one insurgent was shot dead and a policeman was wounded during an exchange of gunfire during the incidents, police said. They said the explosions occurred almost the same time, while the insurgents also fired at a karaoke bar, bombed a convenience store and a parking lot of a hotel, causing damages to the hotel building and several parked cars. Police initial investigation found that more than 10 insurgents were involved in the bombing attacks. They divided into six groups and planted bombs which exploded almost the same time. Police arrived at the scene later and exchanged gunfire with the insurgents. An unidentified insurgent died at the scene of the fighting while a marine police was shot and wounded. Police said they had seized an AK rifle and a pistol which belonged to the insurgents. Saturday’s violence took place just before the eight-year anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre which occurred on October 25, 2004 in which more than 80 protestors died. It also happened while Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet ministers are holding a two-day mobile cabinet meeting, starting today, on the resort island of Koh Samui in Surat Thani province. Meanwhile, security in several districts, including Hat Yai, in Songkhla province has tightened, as police have set up more checkpoints and monitored surveillance cameras to prevent violence from occurring in the province. More than 5,000 people have died since suspected separatists resumed their armed campaign to seek independence for the three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala more than eight years ago. (TNA)