BANGKOK, April 4 – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa said on Wednesday that security operations of all agencies concerned in the southern border region—particularly intelligence work—will use a proactive approach, reassuring the public that there will be greater unity in their operations.
“From now on the work of all parties must be proactive. Intelligence operations, in particular, must be more accurate and [done in a] timely manner as it is a key factor that will lead to successful missions,” said the deputy premier, who oversees national security.
He reiterated that the work must be carried out in conjunction with relevant agencies.
“I will be the main coordinator to drive the operations in an integrated manner,” Gen Yuthasak said.
He ommented following deadly multiple car bombings in the southern border provinces of Yala and Songkhla last Saturday which killed 15 persons.
Gen Yuthasak repeated his warning of possible security threats from mid-April to mid-May, saying the warning was meant to alert the public as the timing coincides with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) meeting. In addition, insurgents could stage more attacks to attract international attention and to mark the anniversaries of the Tak Bai and Krue Se incidents.
The deputy premier said he believed that the violence would not spill across border of the four southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla to other regions. He also expressed confidence that there would be no untoward incidents marring Songkran, the long Thai traditional New Year festival April 13-17, especially in Hat Yai.
Regarding progress on the investigation of the bomb blast at the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Hat Yai which killed three persons, including two Malaysian tourists, Gen Yuthasak said an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect believed to be on the run within the country.
The investigators are racing against time to examine vehicles left in the hotel park garage as many of them were meant to be used in car bombing, he said. He said that the explosives were brought in from abroad and assembled by bomb experts in Thailand.
The deputy premier also urged more vigilance in checking vehicles and strict measures for parking and access in all areas.
Gen Yuthasak said he stood ready to answer any query concerning the latest southern violence in parliament as proposed by the opposition Democrat Party in order to jointly seek a solution to the insurgency, but preferred it to be a closed session.
