Thai defence minister to visit far South

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) - Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat will visit Thailand's southern border region on April 6 to brief local officials on policies against any repeated bombing in urban areas. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol insisted Thursday that he will lay down the policies for officials in the troubled Thai deep South to prevent future bombings in urban areas, acknowledging, however, that internal and external factors have remained threatening national security but external factors have much relieved and internal factors, especially those in the far South, are soluble over a time-consuming period. Regarding an official investigation into last Saturday's bombing in Hat Yai of Songkhla province, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol told journalists that local police have already arrested many suspects and rejected their bail, showing that the police have strong evidence against the suspects; while the National Security Council (NSC) and the Special Branch Police are also asking Malaysian authorities to help trace other suspects who have fled to Malaysia. In response to comments on continual violence in Thailand's insurgency-plagued southernmost region, the defence minister affirmed that Thai intelligence authorities have been working at their best but there appear to be many groups of instigators. The Thai defence minister denied that he has a policy for negotiations with the insurgent groups but he will not prohibit operational officers from doing so. The defence minister also declined to give any comment on an idea to set up a special administrative zone in the Thai far South, suggesting only that Thailand will never be divided but he would not have any problem if a special administrative zone similar to the Pattaya city in the country's eastern seaside Chonburi province was established. Meanwhile, Thai Privy Council President and Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda told reporters in Bangkok that he had not expected such the recent violent attacks in the deep South but he would keep proceeding with his development projects in five southernmost Thai provinces of Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Satun for the promising future of local youths. (TNA)