Thai PM convenes security authorities on southern situation

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra convened security authorities at Bangkok's Government House Thursday to discuss the situation in the country's deep South and to order more intensified security measures for the public. The concerned security authorities attending the meeting include National Police Chief Police General Priewpan Damapong, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, National Intelligence Agency Director Suwapan Tanyuwatthana, National Secretary Council Secretary-General Police General Wichien Potephosree, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul. After the meeting, Yongyuth told journalists that the prime minister told the concerned authorities to carry out both suppression and royally-initiated development projects to restore peace in the Thai far South, along with taking closer care of public safety. Yongyuth said that Premier Yingluck also ordered the concerned authorities to particularly work out well-prepared public security measures for the upcoming traditional Thai New Year of Songkran Festival and to closely follow up updated intelligence. Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa acknowledged, meanwhile, that the government will re-impose safety zones in the South and will present the necessity of the measure to local people, and that the enforcement of curfew in the Thai deep South is, however, considered unnecessary for the time being although tough security measures are essential in local communities. Regarding last Saturday's fatal explosion at the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Hat Yai of the southern Songkhla province, General Yuthasak said that the attack was certainly a bombing linked with similar car bombings in nearby Yala province on the same day. The deputy premier insisted that there have had no intelligence reports on possible violent attacks in Thailand during the forthcoming Songkran Festival but he will order security authorities to take strict precautions. (TNA)