The lighting of fireworks of all kinds in Yala province has been prohibited during the fasting month of Ramadan, under an order issued by the deputy governor in the wake of an upsurge of violence in the deep South.
Ramadan in Thailand this year runs from March 1 to March 31.
The same order also bans gatherings of youths in certain public venues, such as in Kwan Muang Park in Muang district, on the riverside road from Muang district to Betong district, in public parks in Raman and Bannang Sata districts and on the Kor Yae Bridge in Krong Penang district.
Youths found assembling in such places will initially receive a warning and their parents will be invited to talk to the police.
Imams, village and sub-district heads have been asked to inform people in their communities of the prohibitions.
Meanwhile, Pol Lt-Gen Piyawat Chaalermsri, commissioner of the 9th Region Provincial Police Bureau, said today that police now know the identities of 17 insurgents who took part in the gun and car bomb attack on Su-ngai Kolok district office last Saturday night, during which two defence volunteers were killed and 14 others injured.
Since the attacks, security in the province, especially in commercial areas, has been strengthened, he said.
