YALA, 10 FEBRUARY 2013 Security has been tightened further in Thailand’s restive southern border region after the latest car bomb killed more soldiers, ahead of the widely-watched curfew imposition.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra revealed that national security-related agencies have already been instructed to investigate the fatal attack in Yala Province, which killed 5 military officers and critically injured one soldier on Sunday morning.
When asked of the latest insurgent attack will lead to the imposition of a curfew in the violence-torn Deep South, the Premier said that an assessment of the situation is needed and other factors, including personnel and equipment, must be readied before a decision can be made.
Ms. Yingluck added that security officers have been working to determine risk level in various areas of the southern border region while more discussions on the curfew issue with the National Security Council will be held soon.
Meanwhile, the police and the army have stepped up security measures in the Yala Municipality and made more thorough inspection of cars, motorcycles, suspicious individuals and objects entering populated shopping areas and communities of the province.
More checkpoints have also been set along all roads leading to Yala in order to boost public confidence and assure the safety of the public during the Chinese New Year festival.
