Businesses in Thai deep South remain closed on Fridays amid insurgency threat

NARATHIWAT, THAILAND, October 5 (TNA) - Businesses in four southernmost Thai provinces have remained closed on Fridays, amid an insurgency threat, particularly air-conditioned public van services, causing troubles to local people. Narathiwat's bus terminal, for instance, turned deserted Friday morning when operators of more than 300 public vans serving travellers between Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla provinces suspended their services to play safe for their lives. Some 70-80 per cent of other businesses in adjacent areas, namely those in Yi-ngo, Bajoh and Ra Ngae also suspended their operations. The Songkhla Governor, therefore, led local security officers, comprising police and soldiers, to meet local people to create proper public understanding, bringing with them a written statement of the Chularajmontri, Thailand's Muslim spiritual leader, confirming that working on Fridays is not against Islamic Principles. The Songkhla Governor, however, ordered more intensified security measures to restore and boost people's confidence. Recently, leaflets were distributed by insurgents, warning people not to work or to close their businesses on Fridays, claiming it is prohibited by Muslim teachings and threatening fatal consequences for those failing to follow the warning. Meanwhile, Defence Ministry Spokesman Colonel Thanatip Sawangsaeng told journalists that the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has worked out security strategies for the violence-plagued Thai far South in 2013, focusing on more offensive operations, covering more round-ups and searches on suspected hideouts of insurgents, and intelligence gathering in a more coordinated manner, as well as a wide opening for peace talks with insurgents, as part of the government's attempts to end the nearly-nine-year violent unrest in the southernmost Thai region. (TNA)