POST REPORTERS
Explosive ordnancedisposal officials examine a2.3-metre-deep crater caused by abombexplosion in a village in Yala’sRaman district on Tuesday evening. The bomb, planted beneatha road, weighed at least 50kg. MUHAMMADAYUB PATHAN
The new southern command centre will provide a coordinated approach to tackling insurgent violence in the deep South, says Yingluck Shinawatra.
The prime minister also insisted the centre will not duplicate the work of other agencies but will instead drive the agencies to work more efficiently under a clearer framework.
Ms Yingluck was speaking yesterday after chairing a meeting of security agencies called to flesh out plans for the centre.
The government outlined plans for the centre last month, after an increase in attacks in the deep South coinciding with the Ramadan festival.
The government said the centre would be a permanent agency which would integrate the operations of all agencies involved in the solving of a problem to ensure better efficiency and harmony.
"What we'll get from this is that the agencies concerned will work in unison," Ms Yingluck said after the meeting.
Deputy army chief Dapong Ratanasuwan said the command centre will come under the supervision of Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa.
Gen Yutthasak will be assisted by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who supervises the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung who oversees the police force.
Once the command centre is in place, all ministries will be expected to work in a unified manner
"The top level will work more closely, like the operational level," he said.
National Security Council secretary-general Wichean Potephosree said the prime minister has ordered the setting up of safety zones in 13 areas.
These areas include key business districts, public venues and places vulnerable to attacks, he said.
Navy commander Surasak Rounroengrom has given operational officers a free hand to adjust strategies to combat armed militants in the far South.
Adm Surasak said the navy has closely monitored the unrest in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
As operational officers were the main targets of insurgent attacks, commanders of navy units in the areas could adjust their strategies to deal with insurgents, said the navy chief.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the National Security Council had drawn up an operational plan for the deep South.
Security agencies backed the plan, which also won approval from the government, yet the same government had failed to implement it, he said.
He warned the unrest would escalate if the role of the SBPAC was reduced.
The centre works closely on the ground with residents and communities. The Democrats say development in the region must go hand in hand with security measures.
Mr Chalerm proposed that 4,000 military reservists be called up to work as police in the far South to help overcome a shortage of police in the region.
Foreign Minister Surapong Torvichakchaikul said he would assign Thai ambassadors to Muslim countries to seek cooperation from those countries to help solve the southern violence.
Meanwhile, new licence plates for cars and motorcycles registered in the far South will be issued for improved security, according to the Transport Ministry.
The new plates, to be launched at the end of the year, will be secured to the vehicles using specially-made screws each bearing a serial number matching that of the plate, said transport permanent secretary Silpachai Jarukasemratana yesterday.
The authorities will be able to spot straight away if the plates have been changed.
This is to prevent criminals using vehicles with fake number plates to perpetrate violence, a common feature of many attacks of late.