NARATHIWAT, March 10 (TNA) – On the first day of reopening the Sungai Kolok District Office in Narathiwat Province following Saturday night’s bombing, over 100 local Muslims gathered in front of the office to perform Hajat prayers, seeking blessings for peace in the area.
This morning, Sai Thong 2 Road near the district office remained closed to traffic as authorities continued to clear the area of debris and bomb fragments scattered throughout the vicinity.
Mr. Subiyan Daemohleng, the new district chief of Sungai Kolok, began his first day on the job amid the destruction caused by the explosion.
His immediate priority is to restore public services as quickly as possible, particularly the cross-border documentation service which typically processes 300-400 people daily and was severely damaged in the attack.
Regarding security measures, the new district chief plans to revamp procedures by coordinating efforts among three agencies: military, police, and administrative officials. Their goal is to restore confidence among tourists and return peace to Sungai Kolok and Narathiwat as quickly as possible.
Mr. Ropa Iso, a local resident who frequently uses services at the district office, expressed his desire for an end to violence in Sungai Kolok and elsewhere, noting that such incidents only bring loss and hardship to villagers. He called for nationwide unity and peaceful coexistence.
Deputy PM and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed doubt about the effectiveness of peace negotiators, noting that violence has continued during Ramadan despite calls for restraint. He suggested that the ongoing attacks raise questions about whether the negotiating partners truly represent the insurgents and can actually resolve the conflict.
He emphasized that the government remains vigilant and committed to restoring peace, noting that a revised southern border strategy will soon undergo its second review after being previously developed by the National Security Council. -819 (TNA)
