Thai Security Forces Placed On 10-day High Alert

[Jai Dee]

Thai Forces placed on 10-day high alert

Security forces in the deep South have been placed on high alert for the next 10 days, and army helicopters were dispatched on Dec 2 as militants stepped up their attacks, killing four and destroying government properties in the restive region.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, meanwhile, promised to change course, saying the government would come up with a new strategy in the next three months if the situation in the three southernmost provinces, where more than 1,800 people have been killed since January 2004, did not improve.

In Yala, senior military intelligence officer Maj-General Chamlong Khunsong said the next 10 days would be hectic for everybody, especially security units assigned to "extremely violent spots".

Chamlong was referring to Yala's Banang Sata district and surrounding areas, where attacks on troops and government installations have continued unabated for the past four weeks or more.

Pattani and Narathiwat have also experienced scattered but steady attacks, although these have not been concentrated in one area as in Yala.

In Yala's Yaha district, Virote Petchboonwan, 34, a truck-driver for a local construction company, was shot dead while riding on his motorcycle with his wife, who escaped unharmed.

In Narathiwat's Rusoh district, school director Wana Ongkanaurak, 35, and her mother Daeng Sae-jiw, 70, were shot dead at close range in their local grocery store by a gunman using an 11mm handgun, said Pol Captain Banleur Chuwej.

In Ban Yalae Boh village in the same district, militants burnt down a six-classroom school building just before midnight on Thursday-Friday.

In Ban Salobukeh Yulae village, also in Narathiwat, a State Railway Authority of Thailand train stop was torched around the same time.

In nearby Rangae district yesterday, Manawee Saleh, 55, village chief of Tambon Bango Sato, survived a gunfight with two young men on motorcycles who attacked him with an AK47 assault rifle.

Manawee was out walking with his 10-year-old son when the two gunmen rode up and began firing at him, hitting his son in the wrist. He told police that the gunmen had retreated after he returned fire and wounded one of them in the stomach.

Policed closed off the area and searched for the suspects after finding a trail of blood on the road.

In Pattani's Panare district, Nit Thongyai, 59, was shot in the head in front of his home. Suspected militants then poured petrol on Nit's body but fled before they could set him on fire when a group of neighbours began to shout for help.

Over the past few weeks, local media and security officials have played up unconfirmed reports that yesterday was to be an unofficial national day for separatists who were planning to "plant flagpoles" in several districts to indicate their secession from Thailand.

Nimu Makaje, a leading Muslim cleric in the south, said the issue of "liberating areas with flag poles" was nonsense and blasted the authorities for going along with the unconfirmed reports. He added that as a consequence authorities had lost public trust and further damaged their credibility.

Meanwhile, the Teachers' Federation for the three southernmost provinces announced yesterday that schools in at least seven districts would open on Monday while the rest would take a wait-and-see approach. Schools in the South have been shut for the past week because of security concerns.

Source: AsiaNewsNetwork - 4 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Police lays out proactive measures to tighten up security during New Year Break

Police Colonel Bhumphet Pipatpetchabhum (ภูมิเพ็ชร พิพัฒน์เพ็ชรภูมิ), Chief of Police in Mueng (เมือง) District in Yala (ยะลา) Province, has set out proactive measures to deal with insurgents and to prevent possible violence during 10 risky days.

In response to warnings from intelligence about possible violence from December 2nd-11th, Col Bhumphet said that daily inspections and patrols will take place to ensure security throughout the province. At the same, 24-hour checkpoints will be put up to check vehicles entering in and out of the province.

In regards to the investigation progress on the recent bomb incidents which took place at 8 vehicle showrooms, one of suspects has been reportedly arrested on November 20th. The suspect, by the name of Mr. Aradin Maro, 26 years, revealed to police another name of an accomplice.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 4 December 2006