Bloody Time Reflects Mounting Insurgency In Thai South

[Jai Dee]

Insurgents launch eight bomb attacks in four Narathiwat districts

Insurgents launched eight bomb attacks in four districts of this southern border province Monday morning.

A suspected insurgent was arrested following one of the attacks, police said.

The first explosion occurred at 6:20 am at the Tanyongmus Market in Rangae district at 6:20 am.

The second and third explosions occurred nearly at the same time at 8:10 am at a park near a post office and sports ground also in Rangae.

The fourth bomb attempt was averted because police managed to defuse the bomb founded in a shop in the Tanyongmus Market. The time bomb was set to detonate at 9 am.

The fifth explosion occurred at 8:10 am in front of a foods shop in Si Sa Khon district.

The sixth and seventh explosions occurred at 8 am in a rubber plantation in Waeng district.

The eighth explosion occurred at 9:30 am on the road in Palukasamoh village in Bacho district.

Source: The Nation - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Money from illegal drug trade to be used for financing southern insurgents

The Spokesman of the Royal Thai Army, Col. Akra Thiproj (อัคร ทิพโรจน์), says the money worth over 20 million baht found in a residence in Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province was derived from illegal drug transactions. Moreover, the money could be used for creating violence in the three southern border provinces of Thailand.

Col. Akra says the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Region 4, is investigating into the matter and attempting to find the culprits as the money could be used to finance the southern insurgents. He says Narathiwat Governor Karan Supakitwilekhakan (การัณย์ ศุภกิจวิเลขการ) will explain the details of the investigation later today (October 10th).

Col. Akra says the Royal Thai Army continues to develop a mutual understanding with the local people in the far South on the southern unrest. He also believes the money to be used for financing the insurgents could be hidden in many areas in southern Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 October 2007