PM calls for urgent security meeting with top security officials
BANGKOK, Jan 22 -- Concerns regarding security matters involving seven Thais arrested and charged with trespassing on Cambodian territory and this week's insurgent attack on an army outpost in the troubled southern province of Narathiwat, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday called for an urgent meeting with senior security officials, a senior official said.
Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panithan Wattanayagorn told journalists that the meeting will be held at Government House at 4pm.
Top issues to be discussed at the meeting are the five out of seven Thais who were freed by the Phnom Penh court on Friday on charges of illegal entry and trespassing Cambodian soil on Dec 29 and due to return home later Saturday, and the attack on the army unit in Narathiwat province Wednesday night, Dr Panithan said.
The five were sentenced with nine-month suspended jail terms and fined one million riel (US$250), but as they were behind bars since Dec. 30, all are now set free.
The remaining two in addition face allegations of spying on Cambodian military affairs and have been charged with espionage. The verdict on the duo is likely to be issued by the court on Feb 1.
Four Thai soldiers were killed and 13 wounded when insurgents stormed the army unit Wednesday night. Also, 20 military weapons were reportedly stolen and two housing units were burned at the outpost.
The assault led the army to announce it will revamp its operations against the insurgents operating in the area.
The meeting may touch on security preparations for the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest Sunday and its rival group the 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which will demonstrate on Tuesday. (MCOT online news)
Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panithan Wattanayagorn told journalists that the meeting will be held at Government House at 4pm.
Top issues to be discussed at the meeting are the five out of seven Thais who were freed by the Phnom Penh court on Friday on charges of illegal entry and trespassing Cambodian soil on Dec 29 and due to return home later Saturday, and the attack on the army unit in Narathiwat province Wednesday night, Dr Panithan said.
The five were sentenced with nine-month suspended jail terms and fined one million riel (US$250), but as they were behind bars since Dec. 30, all are now set free.
The remaining two in addition face allegations of spying on Cambodian military affairs and have been charged with espionage. The verdict on the duo is likely to be issued by the court on Feb 1.
Four Thai soldiers were killed and 13 wounded when insurgents stormed the army unit Wednesday night. Also, 20 military weapons were reportedly stolen and two housing units were burned at the outpost.
The assault led the army to announce it will revamp its operations against the insurgents operating in the area.
The meeting may touch on security preparations for the anti-government 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest Sunday and its rival group the 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which will demonstrate on Tuesday. (MCOT online news)
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