Security measures tightened during Thailand's Songkran Festival

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) - The National Security Council (NSC) has tightened security measures nationwide during this week's Songkran or traditional Thai New Year Festival. NSC Secretary-General General Thawip Netniyom told journalists of the information on Tuesday, saying that NSC is focusing on the safety of Songkran revelers, as ordered by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha. General Thawip stated that police and military personnel have also set up resting places for motorists on roadsides nationwide to help reduce road accidents during the Songkran Festival. For the violence-plagued Thai Far South, General Thawip revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Commanding General of the 4th Army Area Command General Lieutenant General Wiwan Pathomphak and he, himself, visited the troubled region last week and ordered intelligence officials to work harder to help prevent any untoward incident. In response to recent reports from Malaysia that a number of Uighur and Chechen people have secretly entered Thailand, the NSC chief insisted there has been “no confirmation” that the people have arrived in the Thai Kingdom. Meanwhile, international tourists, mostly Malaysians, have been travelling to Hat Yai, Thailand's southern business hub in Songkhla Province, to enjoy the three-day "Midnight Songkran Festival", scheduled for April 11-13, during which over 200 million baht are expected to be changed hands. Other tourist destinations across Thailand also welcome rising international visitors during this week's Songkran Festival. (TNA)