Thai schools under armed guard

2004-02-20 14:10

Bangkok - The death toll from a wave of violence in Thailand's Muslim-majority south has risen to 42 with the killing of a paramilitary soldier, officials said on Friday as more troops were drafted in to guard schools.

Major Chalor Kingthong, speaking for the Fourth Army which patrols the region, said a police captain was also injured in the separate attacks in two provinces, while an unidentified man was found with his throat slit.

"(Paramilitary) Sama Duerae was shot dead last night, while (police) Captain Sompong Chulasak was injured while he was about to enter his home," he said, adding that the unidentified man's case was still being investigated.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called an emergency security meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis, which since the beginning of the year has seen 95 attacks against security forces, government officials and monks.

Anonymous flyers threatening violence against teachers has forced the closure of all 360 schools in Pattani province, while dozens more in sensitive areas of neighbouring Narathiwat and Yala provinces have been closed.

Situation worse

"Soldiers were deployed at school premises before but this has increased in last few days as the situation has worsened," Boonsom Thongsriplai from the Pattani Teachers Association told reporters.

Boonsom said the education authorities in the three southern provinces planned to conduct final exams earlier than scheduled so that teachers and students can take their summer break as soon as possible.

Narathiwat officials said the decision would be reviewed at a meeting of regional school administrators on Monday.

"The school administrators will evaluate the situation. If they feel the situation is deteriorating they will move the examinations up," said spokesman Adisak Apiraksakul.

District police commander Colonel Surasak Rommyanon said a Thai Muslim accused of involvement in the shooting of a soldier last week had been arrested.

Suspect arrested

"Arif Sogo, 34, was arrested early on Thursday morning at his house in Sugai Padi district and I handed him over to the military," Surasak said.

The explosion of violence in the five southern provinces, home to most of Thailand's Muslims, who make up five percent of the population, began with a January 4 raid on a Narathiwat arms depot which killed four soldiers.

Thaksin has blamed Islamic separatists for the unrest, but other ministers have pointed the finger towards criminal gangs linked to politicians.

- AFP