The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has ordered the dismantling of several road checkpoints in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, to be in line with the recent resumption of peace talks between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) rebel group.

Colonel Aekvorawit Chobchoophol, spokesman of the ISOC’s forward command, said yesterday that the dismantling of the checkpoints has been going on for about two weeks now, leaving only those which are deemed necessary and which will be upgraded.

He said that the main checkpoint at Koh Mor Kaeng, on a highway linking the three southernmost provinces with Songkhla province, and the checkpoint near Ingkhayut Borihan barracks, located at the junction of a road linking Pattani with Yala, have been dismantled.

Checkpoints on secondary or rural roads, which are deemed unnecessary, will be dismantled, leaving only those needed to ensure public safety and to facilitate traffic, especially during the fasting month of Ramadan in March, said the colonel.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit the three southernmost provinces today and tomorrow, during which he plans to visit the Krue Se mosque, the Chao Mae Lim Ko Niao shrine, Wat Chang Hai and the central provincial masjids.

He also has a plan to visit tourist attractions in the three provinces and the border checkpoint in Betong district.