|
 |
 |
2010-01-20 |
|
|
| 1,500 defence volunteers to be recruited |
| The cabinet has approved the deployment of almost 1,500 new defence volunteers to the lower South to strengthen security in the region. |
| |
Bomb experts examine a crater in a road in Ban Bua Thong in Yala’s Than To district yesterday morning after a bomb seriously injured four soldiers. The experts detonated a second bomb. MUHAMMAD AYUB PATHAN
The state of emergency in the restive provinces will remain in force until at least mid-April.
The cabinet yesterday approved a request from the Interior Ministry for a 263million baht budget to recruit 1,440 volunteers for the region.
The volunteers will help civilian officials, police and soldiers in Yala's Muang and Betong districts; Pattani's Muang district; Narathiwat's Muang and Sungai Kolok districts; and Songkhla's Hat Yai district. About 240 volunteers will be deployed to each district.
Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said the volunteers had already been recruited and were now receiving training.
The cabinet also approved extending the Executive Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations in the lower South for another three months to April 19.
The extension was requested by the Internal Security Operations Command.
The extension was required to provide adequate protection for locals, Mr Supachai said, despite the government's claim of successfully reducing violence over the past three months, during which 171 people suspected of involvement in attacks have been detained.
Four soldiers from a teacher protection group were seriously injured yesterday when a bomb buried under a road in Yala's Than To district exploded.
The group of 11 soldiers, travelling in two Humvee vehicles, stopped on Ban Bua Thong-Ban Rae road shortly before 8am to secure the way for teachers travelling to Ban Bua Thong school.
The bomb exploded just minutes after Capt Manop Passamo and his subordinates got down from their vehicles.
The captain, Cpl Fairat Raknarong, Sgt Puwadol Khonklong and Pvt Areepeng Seera were injured in the blast. They were rushed to Than To Hospital before going to Yala General Hospital.
The bomb, made from a fire extinguisher stuffed with explosives, was believed to be detonated by radio.
About the author
|
| |
| Bangkokpost |
|
|
|
