THAI ARMY CHIEF DENIES ARMY BEHIND MOSQUE MASSACRE

BANGKOK, June 9 (Bernama) -- Thai Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda denied
accusations that security forces were behind the killing of at least 10 Muslims
at a mosque in Narathiwat Monday night.

Anupong told the local media in Cho-Airong district that insurgents were
behind the massacre which had stunned the Muslim community in the three restive
southern provinces.

"I condemn the group that has perpetrated this act of violence. They simply
want to raise this issue to a level of international concern by making it like
the state authorities are violently suppressing villagers. They want to create
a climate of fear," the Nation quoted Anupong on its website.

But there were conflicting reports on the number of dead people, with
hospital authorities saying that 10 people died at the mosque and 12 others were
injured, including the imam of the mosque.

One villager, when contacted, claimed that four more died in the hospital
but it could not be verified yet.

Villagers also declined to reveal what they knew about the identity of the
suspects, but some said there were speculations that the attack could be revenge
over the deathe of two Buddhist teachers and a rubber tapper in the past four
days.

More than 3,500 people have died since January 2004 when separatist groups
resumed their armed campaign to seek independence for the three Muslim-majority
provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government would review
existing steps to address the conflict, admitting that the shooting at the
mosque was different from the way insurgents had operated in the past.

Despite the increasing violence, Abhisit said the government would continue
with its development plan for the region as it would benefit the provinces in
the long term.

Asked if he was worried that insurgents would use suicide bombs in the
future after Sunday's car bombing in Narathiwat, Abhisit said he did not think
they would resort to such measures.

On his visit to Malaysia Monday, Abhisit said the neighbour had agreed to
assist and cooperate with Thailand to find a solution to the century-old
conflict.

His visit received prominent coverage in the Thai media, with the Nation
daily splashing the headline "A BREAK FROM THE PAST: PM wins Najib backing on
South" while the Bangkok Post said "Twelve die in mosque shooting Malaysia
offers helping hand in restive South."
-- BERNAMA