THAILAND: Wave of Chinese New Year's bombs in Muslim south mystifies authorities

Record ID: 357333

  • Title: THAILAND: Wave of Chinese New Year's bombs in Muslim south mystifies authorities
  • Date: 19th February 2007
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL'S SPOKESMAN GENERAL MONTRI SANGKHASAP SAYING: "We are facing terrorism situation and government officials alone are not enough to secure the whole areas. We need civilians to get involved and help us watch out and alert for dangers" MEDIA
  • Embargoed: 6th March 2007 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVAEYHGZ3L9MBZ0JPUONF3ASUWAA
  • Story Text: The largely Muslim far south of Thailand has been rocked by a wave of bombs with have killed a total of eight people and wounded more than 50.
    The violence prompted the government to call an emergency meeting on Monday (February 19).
    In Narathiwat alone, one person was killed and 22 were wounded in blasts at five karaoke bars in the border town of Sungai Kolok, a popular destination for Malaysian tourists.
    Sixteen schools, houses, and public phone booths were set ablaze in the largely Malay-speaking region, a sultanate until annexed by overwhelmingly Buddhist Thailand a century ago.
    Shortly before a special security meeting in Bangkok, an army major was killed outside his house in Yala, one of the four southern provinces hit by around 30 bombs on Sunday (February 18) night, after he picked up a bag containing a bomb, police said.
    There were no clues on who is behind the attacks but the military said Thailand is facing something similar to terrorism.
    "We are facing terrorism situation and government officials alone are not enough to secure the whole areas, we need civilians to get involved and help us watch out and alert for dangers," army Chief of Staff General Montri Sangkhasap told reporters after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont met security chiefs to discuss the violence.
    The latest violence came just two days after Surayud said his government planned to hold talks with Muslim insurgents.
    After replacing Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a coup in September, Surayud's military-appointed government embarked on a peace offensive in the rebellious Muslim far south, but insurgent attacks have not diminished.
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