Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has prohibited units operating in the southern border provinces from moving weapons and other military equipment out of the region for fear they could be used in political violence.
Col Banpot Poonpian, the Internal Security Operations Command spokesman, said Gen Prayuth made the prohibition order during today's army unit meeting at the army's operation centre.
"Movements of armaments from the southern border provinces are prohibited to prevent them from being used in political conflicts," he said.
During the meeting, Gen Prayuth was given a situation briefing by Lt Gen Sakol Chuentrakul, the 4th Army Region commander.
Gen Prayuth ordered border defence forces to step up patrols in mountainous areas and at border crossings to prevent smuggling of contraband and illegal immigrants.