As PM visits South, bomb injures patrol marines
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Members of the Marine Task Force were injured yesterday, with one losing his legs, after a roadside bomb exploded while they were on patrol to tighten security for a one-day visit by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The explosion went off at around 10.30am when a group of marines led by Sergeant Suthin Srimuang were inspecting a damaged billboard along the road in Narathiwat’s Muang district.
Police said the insurgents destroyed the billboard to lure soldiers into a trap before detonating the bomb, which was hidden nearby.
Suthin lost his legs. Three other injured soldiers were Private Adiphol Saejew, Private Watcharapong |Nasada and Private Prem-anant Kwanthongyim.
The bomb exploded just as Prime Minister Yingluck was about to leave Bangkok for the South to inspect the situation and have meetings with senior officials.
The opposition Democrat Party, which has a lot of MPs from the South, had challenged Yingluck to visit the region and take command of operations herself.
Yingluck had visited the deep South before, and ahead of her return trip yesterday she said she would listen to problems of the people and make comments later if she found something necessary to speak about.
The prime minister, accompanied by senior officials, arrived at Narathiwat’s city hall for a closed-door meeting at 1.30pm. Some 500 residents and local officials greeted her arrival. The meeting mostly focused on cases of violence.
Fourth Army Region Commander Udomchai Thammasarorat told Yingluck there were 215 violent cases last year, down from 389 cases in 2010.
The premier also met religious and community leaders before returning to the capital last night.
Meanwhile in Bangkok, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva met with Lower House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond to request that Somsak invite Yingluck to discuss a special motion on the South.
It was the latest move in a bluff game by the ruling party and opposition, inviting each other to join their respective meetings on the South.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung had invited Abhisit and Democrat MPs to join a government-organised session on September 7 but Abhisit said he would join only when Yingluck was present.
Abhisit later countered with a proposal to request a parliamentary debate on the issue with Yingluck in attendance.
