Thai South: Police, defence volunteers replace soldiers over Ramadan

[webfact]

SOUTH
Police, defence volunteers replace soldiers over Ramadan
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- As part of a truce agreement with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), police and defence volunteers will replace soldiers in villages in the Muslimdominated southern border provinces during the holy month of Ramadan, which began today.

National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr said Wednesday that his group proposed the "rearrangement of troop" to the BRN on the weekend.

Paradorn, who heads the Thai delegation in the peace dialogue with the BRN , ruled out bowing to the BRN's demand for Thailand to withdraw all security forces from the restive area.

"We will only reduce checks, laying siege, swooping and searching villages except in the case of emergency incidents,'' he said.

He said that under the proposal, soldiers would be removed from villages and stationed in their local barracks but would be on standby to move in case of insurgency. Police and defence volunteers will replace soldiers in carrying out security work.

Paradon downplayed reports that the BRN had cancelled the truce agreement for Ramadan, saying that they only deferred the announcement and both sides had agreed that Malaysia would announce the truce agreement.

Responding to questions about opponents of the truce agreement erecting posters attacking the government, Paradorn admitted that insurgents were split over the peace deals.


-- The Nation 2013-07-10

[lee b]

locals saying i feel safe now...

[surangw]

ramadan in this instance is time to regroup and rearm .

[hellodolly]

ramadan in this instance is time to regroup and rearm .

They have to be kidding

"Responding to questions about opponents of the truce agreement erecting posters attacking the government, Paradorn admitted that insurgents were split over the peace deals."

In other words the whole army is going to stand down and only some of the terrorists.

Can't say as I agree with Yingluck's first decision on how to handle the south.

[webfact]

SOUTH
Soldiers to lie low during ramadan
The Nation

Police, defence volunteers to replace troops; Paradorn denies bowing to BRN

BANGKOK: -- As part of a truce agreement with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), police and defence volunteers will replace soldiers in villages in the Muslim-dominated border provinces in the South during Ramadan, which began yesterday, National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr said.

Paradorn, who heads the Thai delegation in the peace dialogue with the BRN, said yesterday that his group had proposed a "rearrangement of troops" to the BRN on the weekend.

However, he dismissed talks of Thailand bowing to BRN's demand for a total withdrawal of security forces from the restive area.

"We will only cut down on checks, laying siege and searching villages except in the case of emergency incidents,'' he said.

He added that under the proposal, soldiers would be removed from villages and stationed in their local barracks, but would be on standby to move in case of insurgency attacks. Police and defence volunteers will replace soldiers in carrying out security work.

Paradon downplayed reports that the BRN had cancelled a truce agreement for Ramadan, saying they had only deferred the announcement and both sides had agreed to wait for Malaysia to announce the truce agreement.

Responding to questions about opponents of the truce agreement putting up posters attacking the government, Paradorn admitted that insurgents were split over the peace deal.

Meanwhile, Muslims in the deep South began observing Ramadan yesterday and many came out to shop for fresh food for their celebratory dinner after sunset.

The market at Yala municipality was crowded with people buying up ingredients for their first meal of the day. Security measures have been boosted and checkpoints set up, with all vehicles being checked for weapons.

The office of the Chularatchamontri, the Islamic spiritual leader in Thailand, announced that Ramadan officially began yesterday. He has also called on authorities to allow Muslim officials in the deep South time to relax during the fast and attend prayer ceremonies.


-- The Nation 2013-07-11

[Lite Beer]

Yala police to watch out for militants in disguise

Yala, 11 July 2013, (NNT) --Yala police have been instructed to be on the lookout for militants who disguise as women to carry out attacks.

The instruction came as the month of Ramadan started this week. Yala Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Peera Boonlieng said he had given strict orders to all police stations in the province to be on high alert during the holy month of Ramadan and to pay extra attention to female suspects or suspicious-looking women.

According to him, the separatists have turned to disguising themselves as women in order to slip past authorities, which makes it very difficult for security personnel to identify them; given Muslim women usually don their traditional clothes, which conceal most parts of their bodies.

Police Major General Peera has also demanded that police be discreet when conducting a personal search; however, officials are not to put their guards down at all times. He also ordered police to do their best facilitating the locals in their religious activities.

-- NNT 2013-07-11