Thai defence minister visits deep South

BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat is visiting the Thai deep South on Friday to follow up peace restoration operations and listen to obstacles. Accompanied by Defence Permanent Secretary General Sathian Permthong-in and Army Chief-of-Staff General Sirichai Ditthakul, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol told journalists before leaving for the Thai far South that after he has learned about local obstacles he will initiate proper solutions, probably including the application of some technological equipment to replace personnel in some fields of work. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said that local security authorities have worked well in the far South and he will only help further boost their performance and efficiency by eradicating some work duplications through a study in the region, for instance, whether too many commanders were overloading operational officers with orders, noting, however, that security plans should not be changed whenever there was a bombing. The Thai defence minister denied acknowledgement about reports that exiled ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had negotiated with leaders of southern insurgency, dismissing the reports as unreliable. The Thai defence minister and his entourage is scheduled to visit Pattani and Yala Provinces to be briefed on the local security situation and to meet local Muslim leader, before returning to Bangkok on Friday evening. (TNA)