Tight Security In Hat Yai After Attack Warnings

[george]

Tighter security at Hat Yai hub after warnings of insurgent attacks

SONGKHLA: -- Police have tightened security in Hat Yai, the Thai South's largest and busiest commercial and shopping hub, following intelligence warnings of insurgent attacks expected September 16–20 , the period marking the anniversary of the founding of the Pattani Islamic Mujahideen Movement.

Hat Yai is the main city of Songkhla, bordering Pattani and Yala, two among three predominantly Muslim provinces plagued with violence for nearly three years.

The security alert is apparently to prevent incidents similar to those of on August 31 when 22 almost simultaneous insurgent bombs set off almost simultaneously in Yala, killed one bank customer and injured 24 other persons. The attacks were believed to mark the anniversary of the founding of the separatist group, Bersatu.

A combined force from the Hat Yai district police station and officers from the Royal Thai Police Special Operations Force on Thursday inspected locations vulnerable to insurgency, including Hat Yai's busy railway station, where the security system is being specially fine-tuned.

Luggage and other belongings of passagers--especially those of the so-called "at risk group" of passengers travelling to and from the three southernmost border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat have been thoroughly checked.

Closed circuit cameras were installed at all vulnerable locations in the station in order to detect suspicious passengers and objects.

--TNA 2006-09-07

[newworks]

hmmm... must be another CIA plot to make muslims look bad!

Edited September 7, 2006 by newworks

[Ricardo]

Another success looms, for the acting caretaker unemployed PM's policies, in the South. The count is at 1500 and rising. Even his leading soldier in the South now believes, contrary to official policy, in talking to the rebels to try to defuse this sad situation.

Meanwhile the tourist-business in Hat-Yai sinks through the floor.

But where did the CIA come into all this ?

[kmart]

hmmm... must be another CIA plot to make muslims look bad!

Like they need the CIA? Nice conspiracy theory though. Are you wearing a tinfoil hat to ward off alien abduction / mind control too?

[Scott]

I hope for the best for the folks in the south, but I don't hold out a lot of hope. I doubt that there are enough CCTVs in the country to protect all the people and places.

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai remains adamant he will not negotiate with insurgents in the Deep South

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) remains adamant that he will not negotiate with insurgents in the Deep South.

He said that opening channels to negotiate is deemed inappropriate as insurgents may think of themselves as indispensable. Gen Chitchai said current measures in tackling the southern unrest is on right track, however more proactive measures are needed.

In response to issuing a draft allowing Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) absolute power in tackling the southern unrest, Gen Chitchai confirmed that the matter will not be delayed and officials are currently drafting the document.

As for reports regarding re-appointing a new head for the Fourth Army Region, he said that the new appointment will not have any effects in its mission to tackle the violence in the southern region.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 September 2006

[kmart]

I hope for the best for the folks in the south, but I don't hold out a lot of hope. I doubt that there are enough CCTVs in the country to protect all the people and places.

"Evil will triumph when good people do nothing."

[Jai Dee]

ACM Kongsak : There’s no report over the plans to bomb Hat Yai railway station

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) stated that he has not been reported over the plans to bomb Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่) Railway Station from September 16th to 20th, as the Mujahideen Islam Pattani group has been founded during this period. ACM Kongsak however said the officials have been instructed to be prudent and provide maximum security in the areas, following the bomb rumours.

This morning, the officials from Indonesia met with Air Chief Marshal Kongsak at the Interior Ministry. He said there were discussions over general topics, but the topic concerning the southern turbulence was excluded.

The Interior Minister denied that he has assigned the Songkhla (สงขลา) Provincial Governor to collect the names of religion teaching teachers as to verify their profile. He said the rumors about the possible violence during important days aim at creating disunity in the areas.

ACM Kongsak added that provincial governors of the three southern border provinces are ready to follow the advices of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn as His Royal Highness Crown Prince is concerned for the safety of teachers and students in the areas. His Royal Highness Crown Prince has advised the provincial governors to cooperate with Interior Ministry if they need any assistance.

ACM Kongsak said the Interior Ministry will use the CEO budget to assist the troubled provinces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 September 2006