Published on July 16, 2005

Round-the-clock security has been imposed at a power plant in Yala’s Betong district to guard against attacks by insurgents after a series of coordinated attacks on Thursday night.

Police suspected the attacks were aimed at destroying power distribution facilities and causing blackouts in provincial townships.

Repair work was underway, but it was expected to take some time before power was fully restored, said Manote Sangkhawuthichaikul, a local senior official.

About six power poles were brought down by insurgents during Thursday’s attacks.

Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said he had ordered a study into an emergency power supply plan. The plan would enable power plants in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani provinces to produce additional power for distribution to areas when blackouts occur.

Mobile power generators had been ordered and more security cameras would be used to monitor public utilities, he said.

Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan has requested military protection for the delivery and distribution of fruits and other farm products from farms and plantations to ministry-run markets in the three provinces, so farmers and fruit growers would not suffer a loss of income.

She said the idea came from Her Majesty the Queen, who was concerned about the welfare and livelihoods of farmers and fruit growers.

Sudarat said Her Majesty instructed the ministry last month to take special care of farmers and fruit growers.

The Nation

Yala

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