BANGKOK, Aug 31 – Friday’s widespread bombings and public disturbances in four southern border provinces were aimed at drawing attention to the anniversary of the Bersatu separatist group’s establishment and to show the public that the Malaysia-originated group is still operating, said Deputy Prime Minister Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa.
Gen Yutthasak, who oversees national security, said the Friday incidents claimed no lives and were carried out outside the government’s priority designated “safety zones”.
The deputy premier said the operation was aimed to create disorder in 30 locations. Real bombs were planted in four places in Narathiwat and bomb removal units successfully defused them.
The Army Region 4 commander called an urgent meeting today to instruct officials to remain on alert. The identity of the perpetrators will be known in a few days.
According to the initial investigation, he said, young men were hired to place bombs in a number of areas and laid the Malaysian national flags at the locations.The flags can be bought from anywhere in the neighbour country and today also marks Malaysia’s National Day.
Gen Yutthasak said the incident will not affect the relations with the neighbouring country. The Thai foreign ministry was assigned to coordinate with Malaysia as an insurgent group used its national flag to create misunderstanding between the two countries.
