SONGKHLA, March 18 – Deputy Interior Minister Chat Kuldilok is visiting the southern province of Songkhla today, just hours after a local government official was shot to death in Pattani while patrolling his village last night.
Mr Chat instructed all concerned agencies to step up security measures to prevent any untoward incident. The central government minister met with governor Kritsada Boonrach and officials from 16 districts to learn more about the insurgency situation in the deep South.
Pattani provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Ekkapob Prasitwattanachai inspected the scene of the shooting of assistant village head Sapae-ing Sulong who was shot dead late Sunday night in Khok Pho district.
Mr Sapae-ing was attacked and shot dead while driving his car on patrol in the village at night.
Police found spent shell casings for a M16 assault rifle and an investigation is underway.
In Songkhla, Governor Kritsada reported to Mr Chat that violence in his province, however, had decreased since 2010, with only 26 insurgent attacks reported in five districts.
He said there were 253 incidents between 2004-2009. The province has asked local officials–including administrative officials, sub-district chiefs, and village heads–to join security operations.
The governor said four districts remain at high risk for insurgent incidents, including Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi and Saba Yoi, while another three districts–the provincial seat, Hat Yai and Sadao–were also put under close watch.
