Narathiwat security stepped up for PM's visit Thursday

NARATHIWAT, Jan 6 (TNA) - Security has been stepped up in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to the province on Thursday to hand over homes to families who were affected by the violence in the southernmost provinces.

Narathiwat Governor Thanon Wetkornkan on Wednesday chaired a meeting of agencies concerned to map out security measures for the prime minister when he visits Rueso district.

The governor said about one thousand combined military, police and provincial administrative personnel are being mobilised to ensure his safety, as well as plainclothes personnel to support the security monitoring.

Intelligence staff were also assigned to gather information, he said.

The premier’s mission for the visit is to present homes to the families of the victims who died or were otherwise severely affected by the insurgent violence in the southern border provinces under the government’s remedy scheme.

Mr Abhisit will also preside at the official handing over of a prayer building at a district school.

In related developments, a combined force of 800 soldiers, police and provincial civil personnel raided and searched 35 locations in 13 districts of Narathiwat suspected of being gathering points for insurgents.

The operation was carried out under the martial law currently implemented in the areas, aiming to crack down the insurgent groups who may act during the prime minister's visit on Thursday.

After the two-hour operation, the security forces arrested one security-related suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant, while five suspects were arrested in drug-related cases.

All were sent to Tak Bai police station before transfer for further questioning at Inkayuth-Boriharn Army camp in Pattani. (TNA)