Police and security agencies are stepping up security ahead of the two-day mobile Cabinet meeting in Songkhla next week, following a recent wave of unrest in Thailand’s three southernmost border provinces, regional police commander Pol Lt-Gen Piyawat Chalermsri said today.
Speaking at Government House, Piyawat said all relevant agencies are meeting daily to monitor the situation, with security, traffic and arrangements for the Cabinet meeting among the issues being assessed.
“We are assessing the security situation and any unrest that may occur,” he said, adding that he has been holding regular meetings with the military, police and governors of all seven southern provinces.
All agencies are doing their utmost to ensure the safety of the prime minister and other Cabinet members, he said.
Piyawat was also asked about his appearance before the parliamentary security committee to explain the trajectory of bullets allegedly fired from a helicopter during an incident in the southern border area.
He said police are still investigating and examining the evidence, including forensic evidence, and will wait for the test results before drawing any conclusions.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to inspect various areas in Songkhla on August 31, before chairing the mobile Cabinet meeting on September 1.
The visit will focus on efforts to resolve and prevent flooding, as well as security issues and development in the southern region.
The mobile Cabinet meeting is also expected to consider 199 project proposals with preliminary combined budgets of more than 57 billion baht from the five southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
