Violence Erupts In The South Again

[sriracha john]

An extra-ordinary escalation of events:

Violence continues in the south

A bomb blast killed three policemen on Wednesday in Songkhla province, just hours after a wave of about 70 coordinated bomb and arson attacks in the three southernmost provinces.

Another officer was injured when the bomb exploded at about 6.40am at a railway bridge in Songkhla's Chana district. Police blamed the blast on suspected Islamic militants.

The railway attack came just hours after a string of about 70 coordinated bomb and arson attacks in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala in late Tuesday that injured at least three people.

The violence on Tuesday targeted the homes of police and government officials, karaoke bars and a train station. Police had defused more than 20 bombs laid on the southern train track Tuesday night.

The three provinces have been under emergency decree rule since October 2005, allowing security authorities to arrest suspects without charges, impose bans on public gatherings and other draconian measures.

The Nation

=====================================================

Bomb blast in Songkhla kills three

A bomb placed on a train track in Songkhla province of Thailand's troubled deep South on Wednesday killed three border patrol policemen and injured a fourth as they ran over the device on a pushcart, radio reports said.

The blast was at 6:40 a.m. Thailand time on the tracks in Chana district of Songkhla, around 720km south of Bangkok.

The bomb, planted at a bridge across a railway at Ban Ta Mang Lak linking Songkhla's Chana and Tepha Districts, was remotely detonated when the police patrol squad reached the area in the Chana municipality.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=111949

[sriracha john]

Update ... (already) with even higher numbers.. it's staggering.. :

Number of terrorist attacks Tuesday night summed up at 118

Pattani - The Fourth Army Region announced Wednesday that the militants had conducted a total of 118 attacks in four southern border provinces Tuesday night.

The attacks were launched in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat and three districts of Songkhla, Fourth Army Region commander Lt Gen Ongkorn Thongprasom told a press conference in Pattani.

The Nation

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister says warnings have been received prior to last night's bombings, and another imminent round of attacks is approaching

The Interior Minister, Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา), has indicated that he has been warned of yet another round of insurgency in the southern region, and has ordered related units to prepare to mitigate and prevent such occurrence.

ACM Kongsak spoke of last night's bombings in 100 or so spots in the 4 southern border provinces, the majority of which occurred in Pattani Province. He said information has been received prior to the attacks and the utmost care has already been exercised. He also disclosed that intelligence units have warned of yet another imminent round of strikes by the insurgents. He said related agencies have already been told to carry out stringent monitoring, especially in risky areas and at state agency offices. ACM Kongsak said inspection of evidence collected by closed-circuit cameras for last night's bombings cannot be done because the incidents occurred in far-out and bleak places.

The Interior Minister believes the attacks were not aimed at challenging Army Commander-in-chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin’s (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน) recent appointment to oversee the southern insurgency.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 August 2006

[sriracha john]

So over a HUNDRED bombings and 3 policemen were killed AFTER the police/army had received warnings???? Astounding!

And they've be warned there's MORE to come?!?!?!

Edited August 2, 2006 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Last night unrest in Yala was caused by teens

Yala Governor Boonyasit Suwannarat the unrest incidents in the province last night were triggered by a group of teenagers. However, he has ordered the local officials to inspect the stricken areas continuously and has affirmed that officials from every side are ready to handle any unrest situation.

Mr. Boonyasit said 17 areas were hit by this group of disruptive teenagers. Tires and clothes were incinerated and bottle bombs were thrown. Nevertheless, officials were able to control the situation within ten minutes because they have been prepared to deal with such disturbances without the help from the police, military, and administrative officers as well as volunteers. Meanwhile, the intelligence unit has been working more effectively, and officials have been able to deal with such turbulence more promptly.

The Governor of Yala said four suspects were arrested in Krongpinang District last night, but they have now been released as they were not involved with the restive incidents. He has warned parents and guardians to look after their children more closely so that they would not be deceived by the southern insurgents.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Huge fire engulfs a rubber company in Pattani’s Nong Chik district on Tuesday night. The arson was part of about 70 incidents of violence occurred in the four southernmost provinces in what authorities believe to be another terror campaign by Muslim insurgents.

Source: The Nation - 2 August 2006

[Oleg_Rus]

Dear Mr Sriracha John

will this events affect our latex supplies from southern provinces. Our consumption is growing, the demand is overwhelming, hence we need your advice.

b/t/w glad to see you again

[Losangels]

While Toxin is leaving to Myanmar(Burma) to discuss business and politics with the Junta.

Remember he said he will help those provinces that support him politically first and leave the rest (meaning the deep south)

later. You can see where his priorities are. Burn baby burn, one of these days the fire will reach Chang Mai.

[sriracha john]

Just breaking news on television news has the Thaksin motorcade (on the way to the airport to go to Burma) was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. Lots of bleeding policemen and smashed vehicles on the screen. Thaksin apparently uninjured.

More to follow I'm sure.

[sriracha john]

Dear Mr Sriracha John

will this events affect our latex supplies from southern provinces. Our consumption is growing, the demand is overwhelming, hence we need your advice.

b/t/w glad to see you again

Thank you, Господин Oleg,

I think if there's a latex shortage it will be traced to your use of the "extra-large-size" condoms.... so easy does it....

[Thaising]

Just breaking news on television news has the Thaksin motorcade (on the way to the airport to go to Burma) was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. Lots of bleeding policemen and smashed vehicles on the screen. Thaksin apparently uninjured.

More to follow I'm sure.

Will he mention the accident was an assassination on his lives? Therefore, leaving and abandoned the trouble south to general sonthi as an excuse to attend his businesses in Myanmar.

[sriracha john]

Just breaking news on television news has the Thaksin motorcade (on the way to the airport to go to Burma) was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. Lots of bleeding policemen and smashed vehicles on the screen. Thaksin apparently uninjured.

More to follow I'm sure.

Will he mention the accident was an assassination on his lives? Therefore, leaving and abandoned the trouble south to general sonthi as an excuse to attend his businesses in Myanmar.

Except that he took General Sonthi with him on the trip to Burma. I guess they both feel there's no need to attend to matters in the South. After all, it was only a hundred bombs exploding everywhere and then, later on, it was only 3 policemen killed :

Thaksin in Burma on mystery tour

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in the new Burmese capital of Nay Phi Taw, on a mystery mission, diplomatic sources and government officials said. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and army commander Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the premier left and was scheduled to return tonight. "Both sides wanted to meet," Mr Thaksin told reported at the airport, without elaborating. The purpose of Mr Thaksin's sudden Burma mission was a mystery. "I have no information," said Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasrinond. Mr Thaksin has had close relations with the ruling regime, and his former company Shin Corp has sold satellite equipment to the dictatorship. Under Mr Thaksin, Thailand has become a prime apologist for the junta.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=111958

[baboon]

Firstly and most importantly, my heart goes out to the innocent folk of these troubled provinces whose lives must be unbearable.

Secondly, does the Government not have slightly more pressing issues than foreign ownership rights legislation etc?

[ratcatcher]

Firstly and most importantly, my heart goes out to the innocent folk of these troubled provinces whose lives must be unbearable.

Secondly, does the Government not have slightly more pressing issues than foreign ownership rights legislation etc?

It would seem they do not. The south is on fire with massive insurgency problems. The north is under 3 feet of water and meanwhile Toxin and his merry band of sycophants and toadies has gone on a magical mystery tour for dinner with one of the most hated and despised regimes in the world (unless of course you are an Islamic jihadist, then the USA would fit that description)

Toxin has big business interests in that happy land of Peace & Democracy and no doubt may be taking care of busines with an eye to the future.

Maybe he will have tea with Aung San Suu Kyi at her lakeside prison.

Unless Toxin's got a major surprise up his sleeve, visiting the Burmese thugs at this time will not look too good to his political "allies" such as Dubya and Tony boy

What passes as a Thai government should hang their collective heads in shame with regard to their collusion with the junta.

.

[baboon]

Fair play to you,ratcatcher. I always thought a caretaker Government was just that: A token administration minding shop until the Election and not deciding where new railway lines should be built or visiting other countries without a popular mandate.

[sriracha john]

More attacks, more bombings, more mayhem, more deaths:

More attacks feared as bombs kill another four

Another series of bombs rocked the South yesterday, killing four security officers and injuring one other. The explosions happened only a day after a coordinated wave of more than 100 attacks by militants throughout the predominantly Muslim region. Caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said his men had been given notice in advance of the attacks, but many of the incidents, including explosions and arson, took place in remote areas which were not covered by closed circuit televisions.

Kongsak warned yesterday there would be another series of attacks in the region but he did not know how soon or which specific places would be targeted.

One of yesterday's bombs went off at a bridge along the rail track in Songkhla's Chana district at about 6am while a group of police was on routine patrol. The bomb, triggered by a mobile phone, killed police sergeant majors Pornsak Kongthong, Charoon Chobtaeng and Kasem Chuprachong. All three men died instantly.

The State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) southern region halted all train services between the upper and lower South for security reasons, said director of the SRT southern operation centre, Thanongsak Phongprasert.

A second bomb exploded yesterday in Narathiwat's Joh I Rong district at about 8 am while a group of army medics was on the way to provide healthcare services to local residents. The blast slightly damaged the group's two vans.

The third explosion took place in Pattani's Nong Chik district at about 4pm yesterday and claimed the life of Command Sergeant Major Yongyuth Kudsing. He was inspecting a military outpost that was set on fire in Tuesday night's wave of attacks.

In the worst of Tuesday's incidents, an arson attack on a rubber factory in Nong Chik destroyed about 160,000 kilogrammes of rubber worth Bt30 million. The factory was razed and left some 250 workers unemployed.

A total of 118 places have been attacked in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat since Tuesday.

Authorities detained five suspects from Pattani and Narathiwat yesterday in connection with the attacks.

Ninth Police Region Deputy Commander Thani Thavitsri said the militants have a well coordinated operation to cause havoc in the South. He assumed they had been planning the Tuesday attacks for at least a month.

"They have a good system that links all cells in villages and the authorities cannot easily trace their movements," he said. "We are only in defensive mode, while they are in an offensive one."

- The Nation

=========================================

Meanwhile.... the leader of this nation in turmoil and the number one man assigned to deal with the difficulties in the South:

THAKSIN'S SURPRISE TRIP

Burma visit fuels rumours

Thaksin was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Foreign Minister Kantathi Supha-mongkhon, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, and army chief, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. Sonthi was forced to cancel a visit to the restive South, despite more than 100 attacks by militants attacks since late Tuesday night.

Sources at Government House and the Army headquarters said they were informed of the trip only hours before Thaksin's departure - a rarity for Burma, where visits by ministers or heads of government are generally planned months in advance.

Sonthi was said to have been frustrated at the last-minute order, because he sees the attacks in the South as requiring immediate attention.

- The Nation

(abbreviated report for the topic-relatedness)

Full Report here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/08/03/hea...es_30010254.php

[sriracha john]

A military officer responsible for Burmese affairs said: ''It is more like personal business.''

No immediate issue prompted Mr Thaksin and Gen Sonthi to rush there in person.

The army chief was taken along to make it seem like state business as he was told about the trip only on Tuesday night, added the officer, who asked not to be named.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Aug2006_news03.php

[sriracha john]

More blasts follow night of violence

SONGKHLA - Four people were killed in bombings in the deep South yesterday, just hours after scores of coordinated attacks rocked the troubled region for the second time in just six weeks.

Three border policemen were killed and another wounded when suspected insurgents triggered a bomb near a railway bridge in Songkhla's Chana district early yesterday morning, police officials said.

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A Thai security officer stands at the site of a bomb blast on a railway bridge in Thailand's southern province of Songkhla. (AFP)

-----

The 10-kilogram device tore through the bridge, inflicting serious structural damage and claiming the lives of Pol Sgt-Maj Pornsak Kongthong, Sgt-Maj Kasem Chooprachong and Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Charoon Chopdaeng, who were crossing the bridge in a patrol car.

The blast left thousands of passengers stranded and disrupted train services between Thailand and Malaysia, with hundreds of police and soldiers sent to scour the area for more bombs.

"We suspect that at least two insurgents carried out the bombing," a police official said. "It was a home-made device and it almost tore the bridge apart."

In Pattani's Muang district, an army technician was killed when a bomb exploded at a school construction site early yesterday, officials said. Sgt Yongyuth Krutsingh, 50, who was working on the site, was killed instantly.

The blasts followed a night of close to 100 near-simultaneous bombings, arson attacks and acts of sabotage across Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla provinces' the second night of coordinated mayhem in the last six weeks.

In mid June, the troubled region was hit by 70 blasts in two days, most of which targeted government facilities. Tuesday's attacks saw a rubber factory set ablaze and bombs detonated outside karaoke bars in Narathiwat. Tires were burned, police posts torched and Molotov cocktails thrown into government buildings and the homes of local officials.

------

Thai soldiers cordon off a karaoke bar following a bomb blast in Narathiwat province. 02/08/06 (AFP)

------

Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wanthana said security forces were expecting the attacks, having received prior warning from military intelligence. "Most of the bombings we knew would occur as we were informed earlier," he told reporters. "The intelligence has also warned of more attacks soon, so we have ordered an immediate tightening of security."

ACM Kongsak admitted tracking down those behind the attacks would be difficult.

"We do not know who they were," he said, "we had no CCTV coverage where the incidents took place."

Pattani Governor Phanu Uthairat said three people had been arrested in connection with the attacks, which he said were a show of force and unity by the militants. "This was to show the strength of their campaign at time when local people are starting to cooperate with the authorities to stop this violence," he said.

One suspected militant, Salahuddin Dewah, was arrested after he was shot by security forces while setting a police booth ablaze, Phanu said. Another suspect, Yaganya Uning, is being detained after he was stopped while driving a pickup truck in Pattani.

A suspect was arrested in Narathiwat's Tak Bai district in connection with the blasts outside karaoke bars, police said. Analysts said the slew of attacks came because of the government's poor intelligence capability and increased coordination within militant movements.

- ThaiDay

==============================================

Government still fails to heed warnings

With insurgents again launching large-scale coordinated attacks across the southern border provinces, observers yesterday repeated calls for the government to heed warnings to alter their strategies to quell the unrest.

"It very clearly shows that the Thai response has failed miserably and that the Thai government must rethink its strategy and approach," said regional terrorism expert Rohan Gunaratna.

"They need to think and develop a totally new strategy, and unless they do the situation will worsen."

Militants hit close to 70 targets over a two-day period in June, killing three and injuring dozens in a similar wave of bomb attacks in and around government buildings in a well orchestrated offensive that security forces again seemed powerless to prevent.

Analysts, academics, politicians, and religious and community leaders in both the Muslim-majority South and across the country have over the past two years consistently warned the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra that the insurgency will continue to worsen unless it alters a strategy that many see as heavy-handed.

But the government has failed to take heed of a number of recommendations for altering counter-insurgency tactics and analysts say its stubbornness is proving to be its Achilles heel.

Inferior intelligence has been highlighted as a key problem in tackling the growing threat, along with Bangkok's reluctance to deal with issues of injustice and political and social marginalization of the Malay-Muslim population.

Government claims that intelligence networks dismantled by Thaksin in 2001 have been rebuilt and are bearing fruit have been repeatedly dismissed as wishful thinking by analysts and critics.

"The quality of intelligence they are receiving is poor, the Thai government doesn't have intelligence dominance," Gunaratna said.

"If they had quality intelligence they would know where, what time, and what will be used in attacks, but without appropriate intelligence they cannot fight terrorism."

However, National Police Chief Pol Gen Kovit Watthana yesterday reiterated the persistent government line that intelligence networks have been "greatly improved."

Pol Gen Kovit placed the burden on local villagers, saying they needed to cooperate with security forces as well as "keeping an eye" on their teenagers, who are often blamed for the attacks.

But critics say such demands are unfeasible in a situation where locals have a deep mistrust of security forces and fear reprisals from shadowy militants if they assist authorities.

Fourth Army Commander Lt-Gen Ongkorn Thongprasom yesterday admitted that without the assistance of local residents, intelligence agencies were facing an uphill struggle.

"The intelligence service is better now in terms that we know that an incident will take place, but we never know exactly what is going to happen or where," Lt-Gen Ongkorn told ThaiDay.

"But as security officers we still cannot do anything violent. We don't want to escalate the problem, this is why we have to be patient but at the same time not become sitting targets."

However, Gunaratna said the government needed to take a three-pronged approach to altering its current strategy by coopting the political elite of the local Malay-Muslim population, increasing security collaboration with neighboring Malaysia and improving its intelligence networks.

"Unless the Thai and Malaysian intelligence and law enforcement authorities work closely with each other there will be complete failure," he said.

"They have to work as if they are one unit because the insurgents are exploiting this porous border very effectively."

Gunaratna said such collaboration would have to involve joint training and operations as well as shared databases and information and the exchange of personnel and resources.

But despite admitting that insurgent groups have increased in size and capability over the past two years, security forces still maintain current strategies are working.

"The militants want to create fear and confusion and want the problem in the South to become and international issue," Lt-Gen Ongkorn said.

"But the insurgency isn't really growing, they are just hitting minor targets with small attacks that they can hire teenagers to carry out."

Lt-Gen Ongkorn said the recent move to give army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin full authority in the region will also help unify the various security forces employed in what many say is now a fragmented counter-insurgency effort.

- ThaiDay

=============================================

Thaksin mum on visit to Myanmar

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave little away last night after returning from a surprise visit to military-ruled Myanmar, insisting the trip was strictly to discuss bilateral issues with the junta's top brass.

On his return to Bangkok last night, Thaksin sidestepped reporters' questions about the purpose of his visit, insisting his meeting with Myanmar's leader Gen Than Shwe was to talk about "social, economic and political matters."

Asked if he had made an attempt to negotiate the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Thaksin said: "I don't know, I cannot say."

The premier met the generals at the new administrative center of Naypyidaw, which is nestled in the jungles near Pyinmana, 400km north of Yangon.

Thaksin was the first high level visitor to the government's new administrative capital, which some analysts say was created either out of paranoia of a US invasion or Gen Than Shwe's obsession with astrology.

The hastily arranged visit came amid increasing international pressure on Myanmar to free Suu Kyi and speed up its democratic reforms.

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon, Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat also made the trip.

Government officials were not available for comment yesterday while the Foreign Ministry said it was not in a position to speak about the high-level visit.

-----

Thaksin motorcade crash. (Manager Online)

-----

On the way to the air force airport, three people were wounded when a highway police car collided with the lead car of the motorcade.

Four cars were badly damaged as a result of the head-on smash-up, which injured both drivers and one other as the cars spun out of control.

Kraisak Choonhaven, a former chairman of the Senate foreign affairs committee and staunch critic of Thailand's "constructive engagement" policy with the junta, speculated that Thaksin's visit may be trade related.

"I'm surprised Thaksin made this trip to meet with the Burmese dictator without prior planning," he said. "But I suspect this might be more business than diplomacy."

Thailand is one of the biggest investors in Myanmar, mainly in its telecommunications and energy sectors. It pumped more than US$1.3 billion into 55 projects in the country last year.

- ThaiDay

Edited August 3, 2006 by sriracha john

[Scott]

This thread is confusing, which topic is being addressed--the bombings in the south or the PM visit to Myanmar? Maybe they should be separated as they are both rather important.

[sriracha john]

Primarily the Southern turmoil. I was attempting to limit the Burmese trip information to those aspects dealing with the absence of Thaksin and General Sonthi during this critical time. The last trip article will be the last as it's the only complete article dealing with that issue.

Apologies for any confusion it might have created.

[Gonzo the Face]

This thread is confusing, which topic is being addressed--the bombings in the south or the PM visit to Myanmar? Maybe they should be separated as they are both rather important.

Regarding the 2nd half of the post 2nd above......

Taksin's visit to Burma, is to benefit Taksins wallet, and nothing to do for the good of either the Thai or Burmese people.

[Losangels]

Oh! I know why he went to Myanma. He is asking assistance from the military to help him with the unrest in the South (good timing isn't it?) Toxin is out of ideas of how to solve the southern crisis.

Maybe the Burmese have more capable military personnel

[Plus]

Is there a separate Burma thread? It's on the Nation's front page already, and it might be the biggest issue for days, like letter to Bush.

If Thaksin keep silent his critics will offer enough theories what he was doing there, none of them too pleasing.

[Jai Dee]

Is there a separate Burma thread?

It was mentioned in this thread.

[Jai Dee]

Officials urged to keep close eyes on the possible violence situation during the long holidays

Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา) has assigned the officials to keep close eyes on the areas of possible violence during the long holidays.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak has instructed concerned authorities to be prudent of the violence during the long holidays and also the holidays during the Mother’s Day, which falls on the 12th of August. He said the intelligence unit has analyzed that the insurgents are trying to publicize to the residents about their authority and such could gain more attention.

He said it is possible for the violence to occur during the long holidays and has urged local residents to inform the authorities if they find any suspicious issues and that the officials are ready to cooperate with the residents.

The Interior Minister referred to the bombing incidents over 100 areas of Southern region on Tuesday night (01/08/06), citing that the village security units have cooperated well with the authorities and the units will be developed as to alleviate the burden of the authorities.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 August 2006

[Pakboong]

I amazes me how few seem to understand the day job of both the CIA and the Mossad is to demonize a particular group via civil unrest. Of course, they never get their own hands dirty.

[yeikloen]

Hi Guys,

Just got a news from my friend in Hat Yai that a bomb has been discovered inside a shopping complex carpark in downtown Hat Yai. Heard they are still defusing it. Can someone confirm this as I cannot find see anything on the news yet.

Cheers,

Loen

[dog412]

seems to coincide with some islamic conference in malaysia over hezbollah strategy in lebanon. take advantage of western sympathy in the media, win the war. it's only a small percentage of muslim"s right? time to fight this war for good,winner take all.

[sriracha john]

Thai mobile phone registration fails to prevent attacks

BANGKOK (AFP) - Attempts by Thai authorities to thwart bombings in its restive south by registering mobile phones failed to prevent Tuesday's coordinated attacks by suspected Muslim separatists.

The 100 bomb and arson attacks happened on the same day the government announced successful registration of nearly one million SIM cards in the south, where separatist and other unrest has killed nearly 1,400 since 2004.

Police believe mobile phones are used to detonate many of the homemade bombs set off almost daily in the provinces along the Malaysian border.

Security analysts said that although the registration drive was a positive first step in curbing bombings using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), resourceful militants would find other methods to detonate bombs.

"This is one of the first times (SIM registration) has been tried in an area of ongoing conflict," said John Harrison, manager of terrorism research at Singapore's Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies.

"The question is whether it will work. In the short term, probably not because you have a lot of people already out there and there are certainly ways you can get around this."

He pointed out that militants intent on causing chaos could purchase a SIM card from outside the registration zone.

"Terrorists are fairly smart in that sense, they can figure out where the weakest zone is," he said.

Information and communications technology minister Suchai Charoenratanakul conceded Tuesday that the registration drive would not stop all attacks, but said it would help track the perpetrators.

He told reporters that 100 percent of phones in the three insurgency-hit provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat were registered. In all 19 southern provinces, 90 percent of phones had been registered, he said.

Authorities have previously said that visitors from the rest of Thailand must register for roaming when they visit the region, as if they are travelling in a foreign country.

"This is a very good first step in trying to control a situation that is clearly escalating," said Harrison. "The idea is that should an event happen you can recover the SIM card and trace it back to who purchased it."

Police Major General Worapong Chewpreecha, deputy head of the southern border peacekeeping command, said registration would help police track suspected bombers.

"It could lead to an arrest, but there are still some weak points," he told AFP. "People can still buy a SIM from somewhere else. The mobile shops still do not fully cooperate with authorities. They still sell more and register less."

S. P. Harish, associate research fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, said the registration would also help the authorities ascertain how many bombs were being detonated from Malaysia.

"They will get a better picture as to where the perpetrators are," he said.

Relations between Thailand and Malaysia have soured since the renewed southern insurgency, but Harish said he believed the Muslim nation would cooperate with Thailand's push to curb mobile-activated IEDs.

"Thailand would like Malaysia to block signals, (or) do the same kind of registration program," he said.

Suchai said the issue of restricting mobile phone signals coming across the border would be brought up with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak on his next visit.

The government blocked all signals for unregistered SIM cards in November last year to attempt to halt the blasts, but there has been no sign they are subsiding. Bombs and shootings are frequent, killing people almost daily.

The three provinces along the Malaysian border were an ethnic Malay sultanate until Buddhist Thailand annexed them a century ago, and separatist unrest has simmered ever since.

- Manager Online

[Johpa]

I amazes me how few seem to understand the day job of both the CIA and the Mossad is to demonize a particular group via civil unrest. Of course, they never get their own hands dirty.

Yea, I forgot to bring to the attention of this forum during my last visit down south all those crazy Mossad agents running around Koh Samui busy plotting beheadings and bombings in the south. But we all know that the 9-11 plot was concocted by those same crazy agents whilst vacationing on Koh Tao.

Or, perhaps you have brought the ol' bong up to your pak a few too many times.