Govt Intensifies Monitoring Of Security Situation In Country - DPM

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has admitted there are "some movement on violence-related activity" in the country but assured the public the government was aware of the matter. Prawit, who is also defence minister said the government had intensified its monitoring of the security situation in the country to ensure safety to the people and tourists. "We have conducted security searches and inspections on suspicious locations following information obtained by our intelligence," he told the media after a meeting here Thursday. The government, according to him, had been keeping close tabs on the security situation nationwide. Two days ago, the Thai authorities announced the arrest of five people and the seizure of pipe bombs in response to a threat by unspecified individuals to carry out car bomb attacks in the city. Authorities launched security raids following a leaked police memo dated Oct 8 which stated at least five targets in the Samut Prakan province near Bangkok could be threatened by car bomb attacks. The five targets mentioned in the secret memo were Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bhumibol Bridge, Ancient Siam open air museum, Samut Prakan crocodile farm and zoo and Erawan museum. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Suwapan Tanyuwattana who was also present in the meeting said the government maintained security alert at the highest level despite the prevailing peace and order in the country. -- BERNAMA