Thai Muslims Returning Home to Celebrate Hari Raya

NARATHIWAT, July 27 (TNA) - Thai Muslims who have stayed and worked in Malaysia have started returning home in Thailand to celebrate the Hari Raya which takes place after the annual Ramadan fast. Thousands of Thai Muslims are seen crossing the Thai southern border in Sungai Kolok district in Narathiwat province, causing traffic jammed at the border bridge. The number of immigration officials have increased to facilitate the returnees in checking passports. Also, the number of people travelling by buses running between the three Thai border provinces -- Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat -- increased sharply. Security officials have to inspect suspicious looking vehicles and ferry boats providing services between the two neighbouring countries following intelligence reports that insurgents plan to create violence in the three border provinces. In nearby Songkhla province, police have stepped up security measures as vehicles travelling to Hat Yai district are searched thoroughly. Security measures in the deep southern provinces have been tightened following Friday’s car bomb attack in Yala’s Betong district in which three persons were killed, more than 40 wounded and buildings were damaged. The attack in the district occurred for the first time in the past eight years. (TNA)