Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha insists there will be no easing up in military operations or the enforcement of security laws in the deep South and has instructed security forces to take a more proactive approach to tackle unrest.
Gen Prayuth yesterday left Bangkok for an inspection trip to Pattani and Yala provinces. Joining him were army chief-of-staff Aksara Kerdphol and other high-ranking officers.
He said effective law enforcement and increased proactive measures were still needed to tackle southern unrest.
Use of violence by insurgents warranted an increase in proactive measures by authorities, the army chief said.
Security forces could not scale back troops or military operations in the region because the activities of the insurgents do not allow it.
Gen Prayuth said the army has tried to curb the number of bombings in the restive provinces.
He said there are several smuggling gangs operating and checkpoints have been set up to search vehicles.
On peace talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional separatist group, he said the talks were intended to enable various groups with different viewpoints to provide reasons for their continued use of violence.
He said he met the Indonesian ambassador last week who expressed irritation at media reports that Jakarta had supported insurgent operations in Thailand.
He said the ambassador told him that Indonesia was willing to offer full cooperation to Thailand to help tackle the southern unrest.
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command spokesman Pramote Prom-in yesterday said seven suspected insurgents have been arrested following a clash between police and insurgents in Narathiwat on Saturday.
Two police officers and four insurgents were killed and three other officers seriously wounded in the clash.
Col Pramote said the suspects gave themselves up when called upon to surrender. They were taken to the 41st Ranger Regiment base for questioning. Four of the suspects were wanted on warrants, he added.