Violence feared in South as anniversary approaches
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Southern authorities have been instructed to be on full alert for possible violence as the eighth anniversary of the Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat province, in which at least 85 people were killed, draws near, a deputy prime minister said Thursday.
Yuthasak Sasiprapa said security would be tightened to avoid undesirable incidents. The Tak Bai violence occurred on October 25, 2004 when hundreds of people were arrested as they protested against the arrest of six local men.
The arrested protesters were handcuffed and thrown into trucks heading for an army camp in nearby Pattani province. At least 85 of them were found to have suffocated on the vehicles.
The arrested protesters were handcuffed and thrown into trucks heading for an army camp in nearby Pattani province. At least 85 of them were found to have suffocated on the vehicles.
Gen Yuthasak said that southern insurgents distort facts about the situation in the deep south through a website registered in neighbouring Malaysia.
Their purpose is to create misunderstanding among southern people, he said, adding the Foreign Ministry and National Intelligence Bureau are working closely to solve the problem.
The deputy premier said the National Security Council has almost concluded a revised structure for the Southern Resolution Operations Centre to be submitted to the prime minister for final approval.
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said army units responsible for security are reorganising their personnel in the South in order to collaborate with the police, civilians and people in maintaining peace in the region. Police forces will be increased since military units cannot be stationed there indefinitely, he said.
