Thai Police Chief, Army Commander Fired

BANGKOK: - Thailand's national police chief and a regional army commander were fired Friday for failing to control growing unrest in the Muslim-dominated south.

The dismissals were announced hours after unidentified arsonists set fire to about 40 sites in two southern provinces Thursday night. On Friday, a gunman on a motorcycle fatally shot a village headman at a tea shop.

The violence highlights the growing ease with which assailants have been carrying out hit-and-run attacks in the south. More than 50 people - mostly security personnel and government officials - have been killed this year. Government officials have blamed Islamic separatists affiliated with to international terrorists, possibly the al-Qaida-linked group Jemaah Islamiyah.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam said national police chief Gen. Sant Sarutanond and Lt. Gen. Pongsak Ekbanasing, the army commander of Region 4, which is responsible for the south, have been reassigned to work in the office of the prime minister.

``The removal is mainly because of the unrest in the south,'' Wissanu told reporters.

Deputy police commander Gen. Soonthorn Saikwan was appointed acting chief of police. There was no immediate word on who would replace Pongsak.

About 90 percent of Thailand's 63 million people are Buddhists, but several provinces in the far south have predominantly Muslim populations.

Southern Thai Muslims have long felt resentment toward the central government for its failure to alleviate their poverty and recognize their distinct culture and language.

Late Thursday, arsonists set fire to three government-owned trucks, five houses, two first aid centers and at least 30 deserted police checkpoints in the provinces of Pattani and Songkhla, police Maj. Gen. Paithoon Pattanasophon said. He said there were no casualties.

--AP 2004-03-20

Fired by "who"

If you are gonna blame Sant who has only been in the chair a relatively short time how come our Rt Honourable PM escapes any responsibility ??? But then he is only responsible for evrtything that turns out fine and not the things that come off the tracks. TIT

Fired by "who"

If you are gonna blame Sant who has only been in the chair a relatively short time how come our Rt Honourable PM escapes any responsibility ??? But then he is only responsible for evrtything that turns out fine and not the things that come off the tracks. TIT

What pray tell has worked out fine. He's a master shafter up of everything he touches.