Economic areas in Thai far South protected

BANGKOK, August 21 (TNA) - Security measures in major economic zones in the Thai far South have been beefed up by agencies concerned, as ordered by the government. Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha told journalists Tuesday that more tightened security measures have now been launched in the seven major economic areas in Thailand's violence-stricken deep South, including Muang district of Pattani province, Muang and Betong districts of Yala province, Muang, Sungai Kolok and Tak Bai districts of Narathiwat province and Hat Yai district of Songkhla province, as instructed by the government. General Prayuth acknowledged that the areas are among attack targets in Thailand's southernmost region militants want to reach, and that security measures have also been stepped up in six other areas where frequent violent cases have been reported, namely Yarang district of Pattani, Than To district of Yala, Bacho, Rueso and Rangae districts of Narathiwat and Saba Yoi district of Songkhla. According to the Thai army commander-in-chief, after the end of Ramadan, the annual fasting month for Muslims, last Sunday, intelligence authorities have warned of possible violent attacks daily, prompting the government to have assigned stricter security services in the Muslim-predominant Thai far South. (TNA)