Navy Closes Island Near Asean Venues Amid Reports

[chuenjit]

PHUKET, July 21 (TNA) - The Thai Navy on Tuesday closed a resort island in Phangnga province, near Phuket where the ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings are being held, and arrested four men amid reports of possible insurgent disruption, while security has been tightened to the utmost at the ASEAN meeting venues.

Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran said that Yao Island in Phangnga province was closed to search for drugs.

But there are also reports of a possible incident, the Naval chief said, noting that four men have been arrested.

"We are now investigating whether the four are related to any international terrorist group or to the southern insurgency. The Royal Thai Navy is now searching the island for more information," Admiral Kamthorn said.

"Although details are still unclear", said the Navy chief, "security has been tightened around Phuket island where the ASEAN meetings are being held."

Following the report regarding possible violence, an additional number of police officers and soldiers were deployed at the ASEAN venues in Phuket, especially at Laguna Beach Resort Hotel where the foreign ministers from five countries will stay over including United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Every car entering ASEAN meetings hotel compounds must pass bomb check spots, while persons entering the hotel must also pass security checks. (TNA)

-- TNA 21/07/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=10908

[chuenjit]

PHUKET, July 21 (TNA) - The Thai Navy on Tuesday closed a resort island in Phangnga province, near Phuket where the ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings are being held, and arrested four men amid reports of possible insurgent disruption, while security has been tightened to the utmost at the ASEAN meeting venues.

Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran said that Yao Island in Phangnga province was closed to search for drugs.

But there are also reports of a possible incident, the Naval chief said, noting that four men have been arrested.

"We are now investigating whether the four are related to any international terrorist group or to the southern insurgency. The Royal Thai Navy is now searching the island for more information," Admiral Kamthorn said.

"Although details are still unclear", said the Navy chief, "security has been tightened around Phuket island where the ASEAN meetings are being held."

Following the report regarding possible violence, an additional number of police officers and soldiers were deployed at the ASEAN venues in Phuket, especially at Laguna Beach Resort Hotel where the foreign ministers from five countries will stay over including United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Every car entering ASEAN meetings hotel compounds must pass bomb check spots, while persons entering the hotel must also pass security checks. (TNA)

-- TNA 21/07/09http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=10908

Arrested men 'not terrorist suspects'

Four people who were arrested by the navy on Tuesday on Koh Yao in Phangnga province are not terrorist suspects, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said.

Navy chief Kamthorn Phumhiran earlier confirmed that four men were arrested in the province close to Phuket, where the Asean meeting is being held.

Some local news websites reported that security officials were interrogating the suspects to see whether they were connected to the militant Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) group.

CONTINUED

-- Bangkok Post 21/07/09http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/149700/four-men-arrested-not-terrorist-suspects

[verydumbubba]

Check local trash bins for stolen KP wallets, lipsticks, shadow, empty whiskey bottles, etc, et al....

Bubba

[chuenjit]

Senior officials deny bomb found near ASEAN venue

PHUKET, July 21 (TNA) – Senior Thai officials have denied reports that explosive devices were seized by the Navy in the southern province of Phangnga, located near the venue of the ongoing ministerial meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Vice-Admiral Narong Thedvisal, Commander of the Third Naval Area Command, denied a news report that the Thai navy arrested four men and seized explosive devices on Yao Island in Phangnga.

He said the Navy was assigned to patrol the waters and provide security for the ASEAN venue. Searches on Yao Island conducted by officials found no irregularity.

Adm. Narong said the situation in the Andaman Sea where both islands are situated is normal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Army chief Anupong Paochinda and National Police Chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan on Tuesday inspected security arrangements at the ASEAN venue in Phuket.

Gen. Prawit also denied a news report that the authorities found a boat carrying weapons and explosive devices in Phangnga. He said security officials were dispatched to Yao Island in Phangna to prevent a possible untoward incident.

He affirmed everything was in order and he was in charge of (providing security) and no additional security measures are needed.

Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran on Tuesday said Yao Island in Phangnga province was closed to search for drugs and four men have been arrested. (TNA)

Political News : Last Update : 16:43:29 21 July 2009 (GMT+7:00)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=10911