Bomb explodes near PM’s visit location in Yala

YALA, Jan 7 (TNA) – A bomb exploded near a location where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is due to open a road in Pattani, wounding one police officer.

The two-kilogramme bomb went off at a rest area, 150 metres from the site where the prime minister was scheduled to preside over a ceremony to open a Yala-Pattani highway on 10.30am.

Pol Cpl Chaiyuth Bovornsak, part of the detail providing security at the site, suffered shrapnel wounds above his left eyebrow.

The prime minister, accompanied by deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban,Transport Minister Sopon Zarum, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, will join a ceremony opening the Highway 418 crossing at the Pattani River, which connects Nong Chik district in Pattani and Yala’s provincial seat.

They are to observe progress in the special economic zone projects to develop five southern border provinces and to support villagers to depend on themselves under the sufficient economy philosophy.

Mr Abhisit left Bangkok Thursday morning to visit the three southernmost provinces to follow up operation of Thai Khemkaeng (Strong Thailand) economic stimulus project and visit security officials stationed in the insurgency-affected areas to give them moral support.

The premier visited projects designed to provide housing and resolve land issues for local residents under Thai Khemkaeng (Strong Thailand) economic stimulus scheme at Narathiwat’s Rueso district.

The prime  minister’s trip is his first since his recent visit with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to the strife-torn region in early December.

Mr Najib said the Thai government was on the right track and pledged to support Thailand In tackling the violence particularly on exchanges of information, security and intelligence.

The three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat has been rocked by insurgent attacks since 2004, claiming more than 3,700 lives. (TNA)