Monday Night's Explosion In Pattani Happened Despite Improved Situation - Thai PM

BANGKOK, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The overall situation in southern Thailand has improved despite last night's bombing incident in Pattani which killed a woman and left 21 others injured, including two in severe condition. Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha said the militants were hiding among the civilians and aimed of staging violence in the volatile region. "As you have seen, they (the militants) have never appeared in public, they are hiding among the people, but the overall situation (in the southern province) has improved," he told the media after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting at Government House, Tuesday. Monday night's violence, he said, could also affect the ongoing peace process between Bangkok and the militants. The government, according to the prime minister, was working to resolve the problems in southern Thailand by placing greater importance on intelligence work which had seen many improvements. A woman in her 50's was killed while 21 others were injured, including two severely, when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded inside a noodle stall in Pattani town about 7pm (local time) on Monday. No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the violence. Meanwhile, Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Udomdej Sitabutr offered his apology for last night's incident which happened despite increased surveillance and monitoring by the authorities. The overall area under surveillance was too wide, he said, adding that violent incidents had gone down recently due to the good work carried out by the authorities. Udomdej who was appointed to head a 13-member panel on southern Thailand's problem dubbed the "Forward Cabinet", said the panel would be travelling to the province soon and hold meetings with the relevant sides. In PATTANI, Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) spokesman, Col. Pramote Prom-ing said the authorities had identified the group behind last night's bomb attack. He said the same group was believed to be responsible in staging an attack in front of Pattani's Jamek Mosque during Ramadan months ago. "We urge the public to be patient. The 4th Army is in the midst of collecting evidence before we arrest the suspects. The incident should not be linked to the 12th anniversary of the Takbai incident as the perpetrators could strike whenever there are opportunities," he said. Earlier on Tuesday, the 4th Army chief, Lt Gen. Piyawat Nakwanich and Pattani Governor Wiranan Janpeng visited the local hospital where most of the victims are receiving treatment. Among the injured are six children. --BERNAMA