BANGKOK - Insurgents smashed, stole or set fire to more than 70 closed-circuit security cameras in six districts of the southern border province of Yala early Monday morning.

Pol Maj Gen Peera Boonliang, the Yala police chief, said the arsonists struck from 3am to 5am, in what appeared to be coordinated attacks.

A total of 76 CCTV cameras were damaged and three others stolen in 43 spots of the province.

In Krong Pinang district, 14 cameras were burned, smashed or stolen.

Twenty-one cameras were destroyed in Bannang Sata district, 20 in Raman, nine in Muang, seven each in the districts of Yaha and Kabang, one in Than To.

Photo by Muhammad Ayub Patan

Explosives disposal officers found gasoline containers, petrol-soaked cloth and car and motorcycle tyres at the scenes.

The arsonists also set fire to a telephone pole and a telephone booth in Bannang Sata.

Police suspected at least two people were involved in each attack, and estimated the damage at more than 10 million baht in total.

Pol Maj Gen Peera said police were able to recover footage of the arsonists from CCTV cameras in Krong Pinang and were confident of finding more evidence in other areas.

Police had also set up checkpoints to inspect all suspicious vehicles following the attacks, as insurgents may try to lure security forces to selected areas and set off bombs.

CCTV cameras have become favourite targets of the separatist militants in the deep South. They record street and business activities which could result in arrests or warrants against gang members.

Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the national army chief, called on people on all sides not to make comments that could dishearten soldiers assigned to the far South. He said they were doing their best to maintain peace and order in the region.

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