Malaysian Soldiers At Thai Border On High Alert

[george]

Malaysian Soldiers At Malaysia-Thai Border On High alert

KOTA BAHARU: -- Malaysian soldiers guarding the Malaysia-Thai border have intensified vigilance against Thai refugees seeking shelter in Malaysian territories following the military coup in Thailand.

The soldiers have also been ordered to keep a close watch on the Malaysian immigration check points including the Rantau Panjang border post.

"They are required to guard the check-points from 10pm to 6am daily as a precaution.

"The decision to step up vigilance at the border check-points is a precautionary measure against any eventualities," Brigadier-General Shaharudin Abu Bakar, the commander of 8th Brigade Infantry here, told reporters Saturday.

Shaharudin, however, said the situation in the border areas was calm and normal today.

He also advised Malaysians to restrict travelling across the border until the political tension in Thailand had eased.

He added that those wanting to visit their relatives on the other side of the border must carry valid travelling documents to avoid being arrested or mistreated by the Thai transitional authority.

--Bernama MY 2006-09-23

[Thaising]

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (TNA) - The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) which seized power in Thailand Tuesday night has pledged to continue working with full efforts to solve the continuing violence which has rocked three southernmost provinces since January 2004, a Council spokesman said Friday.

Lt-Gen. Phlangkoon Klahan told a press conference Friday that the CDRM is prepared to support every religious activity, especially as the fasting month of Ramadan for Thai Muslims is approaching and the Buddhist Lent is currently being celebrated in the country.

Although Army chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who also heads the Council, is now quite busy with national level work, operations intending to solve violence in theMuslim-majority three southern provinces -- Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat -- will not be reduced, Gen. Phlangkoon said.

The military will work as a team in line with the planned strategy which may be adapted to the changing situation.

"The most important thing which could solve the violence is a cooperation given by people living in the area," he said, adding that the military is fully prepared to help end the violence.

Meanwhile, Col. Sirichan Nga-thong, assistant spokesman of the military council, denied reports that some community radio stations have been closed after being found to have provoked disunity among the public and encouraging misunderstfoanding about the military's assumption of power.

She said community radio stations nationwide could still operate as normal provided that they release useful information and promote unity among people living in the communities. (TNA)

[astral]

He added that those wanting to visit their relatives on the other side of the border must carry valid travelling documents to avoid being arrested or mistreated by the Thai transitional authority.

--Bernama MY 2006-09-23

Ooooooh.

Paranoia

[johnnynmonic]

So long as the border is open for a visa extension monday... It is open, right???