NARATHIWAT, 19 September 2011 – Acting National Police Chief Police General Priewphan Damapong has visited Su-ngai Kolok district of Narathiwat province following three vehicle bombs last week while stressing the need to wipe out illicit drugs.
In the wake of three car and motorcycle bombs in Su-ngai Kolok on the night of 16 September which is believed to be launched by a local drug syndicate, Pol Gen Priewphan has traveled to the site with Deputy Police Chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew to follow up the overall situation and the investigation result. A meeting was called with local high-ranking police officers to lay down measures for solving the southern unrest and eradicating narcotic drugs.
The Acting Police Chief indicated much progress in the latest bombing case as the police were in the process of seeking arrest warrants for a group of suspects. He, however, asked the public for more time in order to probe the incident carefully and thoroughly, adding that it was necessary to bring concrete solutions to the drug problem, which in turn would help impede insurgent activities in the Deep South.
In the latest development, a hospitalized victim of the attack has passed away, bringing the death toll up to five, consisting of one Thai and four Malaysians. There are 24 others currently under medical care at Su-ngai Kolok Hospital, three at Yala Hospital and another three at Songklanagarind Hospital.
