Insurgents May Be Planning New Year's Attacks In Deep South

[Jai Dee]

Thai PM: Insurgents plan New Year's attacks in deep South

BANGKOK, Dec 22 (TNA) - Security forces in Thailand's violence-impacted South have been beefed up following intelligence reports that insurgents plan to infiltrate and launch a series of attacks during or after the New Year celebration, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said here on Friday.

Plans have been prepared to counter the expected attacks in several areas by the insurgents during or after the festival, he said, adding that he had been monitoring the situation in the deep South constantly.

He said intelligence units are checking reports that armed anti-government militants are gathering their forces in the troubled area and hoping to receive more cooperation from local residents, even though he said he did not underestimate the strength of the insurgents, that is, their capacity to mount attacks without local help.

Insurgents in the three southernmost provinces – Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat – have been attacking freely almost on a daily basis in for nearly three years, and so far almost 2,000 persons have died.

When asked whether he would assess the situation since his government came to power almost three months ago, Gen. Surayud said the time was not yet ripe because the newly revived Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) would start working on January 1.

Delays to the SBPAC operations startup have prevented the government from evaluating the situation in the deep South, he said. The government has been strictly adhering to its policy of dealing with the unrest.

Gen. Surayud said that he had ordered the Education Ministry to allow any school in the area to close temporarily if it believes that the lives of teachers and students are at risk.

Two women teachers in Pattani were shot by the insurgents while they travelled to school in Yaring district early Thursday. One was pronounced dead at a local hospital Friday morning, when the other remains

hospitalised.

Source: TNA - 22 December 2006

[george]

PM warns of violence in the south - New Year

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanonton Friday warned of large-scale attacks by Islamic militants in the deep South during New Year holidays.

The Prime Minister have been informed by local security units that large-scale attacks before, or after the New Year are possible as militants are currently assembling their forces, according to the report submitted to Surayud.

-- The Nation 2006-12-23

[Jai Dee]

Big surge in violence expected

Militants likely to step up attacks over the New Year: PM

A female teacher who went into a coma after being shot in the head by suspected Muslim militants in Pattani on Thursday was pronounced dead yesterday, as the government beefed up security amid growing fears of major attacks during the holiday season.

Chutima Rattanasamnieng, teacher of Ban Takae School in Yarang district, was pronounced dead shortly after midnight at Prince Songkhla Hospital in Songkhla province.

Chutima and her colleague Rungnapa Kongsuwan were riding a motorcycle to their school on Thursday morning when militants on a motorcycle opened fire at them. Both women were shot in the head.

Chutima had a bullet lodged in her brain that doctors were unable to remove the bullet. She became the 61st teacher to be killed in past three years of violence in the deep South.

Chutima's relatives said she had been threatened by the militants who called her on her mobile phone and ordered her to leave the area or they would not be able to "guarantee her safety".

Rungnapa remains in a coma. She was shot in the jaw and neck. Doctors have operated to save her life but are not sure she will be able to speak again.

Meanwhile, Thai security agencies went on high alert in the three southernmost provinces amid intelligence reports that militants were planning major attacks during the New Year celebrations.

"Plans have been prepared to counter the expected attacks in several areas by the insurgents during or after the festival," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said.

Security agencies said January 4 marked the third anniversary of a major raid on an armoury in which militants made off with more than 300 MI6 rifles. The incident was a major humiliation for the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who could no longer deny the political underpinnings of the incident and began to officially acknowledge that a new generation of Malay separatists had surfaced.

"We should not underestimate the opponent. We have to be prepared," Surayud said yesterday.

He compared the conflict to boxing, saying the fight is still far from over but that "we are evaluating our fighters as the fight continues."

"If I owned a boxing club, of course, I'd want to win," added Surayud.

Source: The Nation - 23 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Royal Thai Army asks people give support to security officials in the South in New year's period

Royal Thai Army spokesman Gen.Akra Tiproj, as a head of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command, revealed the army's plan to impose a measure to prevent violence in the South in New year's period. The security officers will not be granted holidays at the period, instead they have to be on duties in every potential risk-danger areas.

The Royal Thai Army spokesman also said the security officials in the South work diligently in all 24 hours, so 4th Army Area commanding office asks people to give good wishes in New year's period to the security officials.

The interested people can send post cards to post box 131, Sirinthorn Camp, Yala or send SMS text at 085-123-9365.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Border Patrol Police steps up security measures in Deep South during New Year

Border Patrol Police Region 4 has stepped up security measures in the Southern border provinces for the new year holidays.

Commander of the Border Patrol Police Region 4, Pol.Maj.Gen.Suraphong Kemasingki (สุรพงษ์ เขมะสิงคิ), said he had instructed patrol police officers in the Southern border provinces to be fully prepared for insurgent attacks during the upcoming long holidays.

In addition, more temporary checkpoints have been set up and more intelligence and responder teams have been dispatched to the areas.

The commander believes that the officials can bring possible violent situations likely to take place during the New Year's under control.

The commander also asks for cooperation from local residents to alert officials if they spot suspicious people or irregularities.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Transport Ministry tightens security measures at transport stations during New Year

Minister of Transport, Admiral Theera Howcharoen (ธีระ ห้าวเจริญ), said the ministry has tightened security measures at transport stations, especially bus terminals and airports, to prevent possible attacks during the coming New Year holidays. The ministry has cooperated with intelligence units and sent more security officials to ensure security at the transport stations across the country. There has been no report of attacks at public places so far.

Aside from the security measures to prevent attacks, the minister said he had instructed the department of land transport to make sure that bus drivers of the Transport Company and the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will not drive under the influence of alcohol, in order to reduce the death toll and injuries during the holidays. The department will also carry out random alcohol tests out on the roads.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Yala Governor: insurgents may create chaos during New Year Break

Yala Governor Theera Minthrasak (ธีระ มินทราศักดิ์) said that the violence in the Tharn To (ธารโต) District in Yala (ยะลา) Province may have been caused by insurgents aiming to create chaos.

Mr. Theera said that officials have been deployed to create understandings with local residence who are prone to being brainwashed insurgents. At the same time, religious leaders and village chiefs have been urged to help bring back peace to their respective areas. He said that insurgents will use the conflict between authorities and people as a tool to escalate the situation.

Mr. Theera further explained that the southern chaos is rooted in distorted beliefs. As a result, he has urged people to consider the situation carefully.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 December 2006