'Pattani school arsonists caught'

RELEVANT authorities have already detained suspects who allegedly set fire to six schools in Pattani province earlier this month.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday these suspects had confessed to the crimes and expressed repentance.
“During the interrogation, it became clear that they committed the arson attacks out of misunderstanding related to the many deaths in the southernmost region,” Prawit said. “After the misunderstanding was cleared, they became repentant”.
He said the number of suspects in the case was between six and eight.
He spoke before attending a meeting with security agencies at Government House. Present at the meeting were representatives from the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Security Council, National Intelligence Agency, and more.
Violent incidents have taken place almost on a daily basis since unrest in the deep South flared about a decade ago. On October 12 this year, six schools were set ablaze in Thung Yang Daeng district in Pattani province.
Prawit said yesterday: “And these arsonists have instigated violence before. There have been arrest warrants for them related to their alleged role in other security cases.”
He said information suggested that the arsonists had planned to set 14 schools on fire, but thanks |to the many safety measures including village protection volunteers, they were only able to attack six schools.
“Our safety measures proved effective,” he said.

‘-Situation improving’
Prawit insisted that the situation had been improving over the past five to six years.
He added that relevant agencies had now prepared safety measures for the second semester of the year, which was about to start.
In regard to the six schools burnt down, Prawit said the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre had been building makeshift structures to ensure students can attend class when the second semester begins.
When asked about peace dialogue with insurgent groups, Prawit said: “No progress, yet”.
Meanwhile, relevant authorities are hunting Abdulloh Baraheng, 25, for his alleged role in fatal attacks. The last attack on Sept 11 involved a stolen pickup and caused four deaths and injuries to another 10 people.
According to an investigation report, Abdulloh has two accomplices. Of them, one has been arrested and the other surrendered on October 8.