Bangkok, deep South on security alert
- From: "~)" <~)@.org>
- Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2007 08:03:29 +0800
Bangkok, deep South on security alert
By Post Reporters
A security alert is in effect for Bangkok and the South today, when the Barisan
Revolusi Nasional Melayu Pattani (BRN) separatist movement marks the anniversary
of its formation in 1963.
Pol Maj-Gen Adisorn Nonsi, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said
the city was fully prepared to counter any attack.
A strategy codenamed "Jan 50" was in force, combining the operations of the
police and the military. Areas vulnerable to a strike were designated by three
classifications - general alert, high alert and extra-high alert.
Locations on general alert are communities, bus stops and shopping areas. Those
on high alert are government buildings and embassies. Residences of important
figures are on extra-high alert.
Pol Maj-Gen Adisorn said road checkpoints would also be set up in specific
locations to ensure normality.
Pol Col Utasin Litruengdet, chief of Chana Songkhram police station, said
vending stalls were banned on the tourist-haunts of Khao San road and Rambutri
road. Bags carried by people visiting these areas may also be searched.
An intelligence source said BRN leader Masae Useng had ordered 300 young men who
had received insurgent training to launch attacks in the deep South.
Somchart Pimthanapoonporn, chairman of the Hat Yai-Songkhla Hoteliers
Association, said more security guards were deployed and additional surveillance
cameras installed at hotels in the province.
Security at Hat Yai railway station was also beefed up.
Army spokesman Col Akkara Tipparoj urged southern residents to carry
identification cards as they may be asked to produce them on the spot.
In Narathiwat, a combined force of police, military and administrative officers
set up road checkpoints downtown. Uniformed and plainclothes police are also
patrolling the major business district, shopping venues and hotels.
Phatthalung governor Suthep Komolpamorn told a meeting with local administration
officials to tighten security after leaflets were distributed warning of
bloodshed and sabotage aimed at government buildings in the next day or two.
In Yala, forensic police said at least 10 people had colluded in the arson at
Ban Rueneng school in Yaha district on Monday night.
Also in Yala, a pickup truck carrying 10 people, mostly Buddhists, was ambushed
by gunmen in Bannang Sata district yesterday. One person was killed and six
others injured as they were returning from a funeral rite in Pattani.
The 5th Infantry Division begins joint border patrols with Malaysian forces
today, continuing until June 26.
Council for National Security spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said an extra 20
companies of rangers were sent to the deep South to help maintain peace and
order.
bkkpost
.
- Prev by Date: More rangers to be deployed in South
- Next by Date: The King of America
- Previous by thread: More rangers to be deployed in South
- Next by thread: The King of America
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
