Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul revealed today that he will visit the southern border provinces this Saturday.
The trip, his first official visit to the south, comes amid a series of violent incidents and disturbances, mostly in the southernmost provinces.
Anutin said he has instructed security officials to remain vigilant and to treat the situation with the utmost seriousness. Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich is in the south today, to assess conditions on the ground.
When asked about the government’s southern peace strategy, Anutin confirmed that the plan is already in place, but stressed that its success depends on how well responsible agencies implement it.
“If I see that personnel are unfit, inattentive or not performing their duties fully, there will be changes,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gen Nattaphon arrived at Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani province this morning and held a meeting with Lt Gen Narathip Poynok, the new 4th Army Region commander.
He also attended a briefing from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command and later visited wounded officers injured during last week’s gold shop robbery in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district.
Security in Yala city has been tightened after a series of eight loud explosions were reported near a public park on Tuesday night.
Lt Gen Narathip inspected the area in Yala municipality following the reports.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the sounds were caused by bombs, pending examination by a bomb disposal unit.
Security measures across Yala city have since been strengthened, with authorities setting up checkpoints and blocking possible escape routes from downtown areas.
On Monday, suspected insurgents launched pipe-bomb attacks near Yala’s youth center. The blasts caused minor damage to the center’s signboard, but no injuries were reported.
