New Constitution promulgation may link with attacks in southern provinces

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) -- A committee responsible for solving problems in deep southern Thailand has said that the promulgation of the new charter could be a factor behind a series of bomb blasts and arson attacks in the insurgency-plagued deep South, according to Gen Thaweep Netrniyom, secretary-general of National Security Council. Gen Thaweep said violence attacks on Thursday may have resulted from dissatisfaction by insurgents on the promulation of new charter. The country's 20th charter was officially endorsed and promulgated by HM the King on Thursday. A total of 52 power poles in 19 districts of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla were damaged, causing widespread blackouts. No one was hurt during the attacks in what officials believed mainly targeted power supplies. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also agreed with the Thai government on ways of solving violence problem in the deep South, causing the insurgents to become more unhappy, he said. Details of the attacks will be disclosed by the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command later, said Gen Thaweep. Also, Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Gen Prawit Songsuwon had ordered government special envoy to invite the people to help playing a role in solving the violence problem, he said. On tightening security in the troubled region during the upcoming Songkran festival, Gen Thaweep said concerned security agencies have stepped up security measures since last week. (TNA)