Tam Yam Kung networks in Malaysia finance insurgents : PM
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont revealed on Tuesday that restaurants and stalls selling Thai Tam Yam Kung in Malaysia have financed the insurgent movement that is involved in daily violence in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand.
Surayud insisted, however, that the separatists who are responsible for the series of deadly attacks in the South were not financed by international organisations. "It is confirmed that the separatists were able continue their attacks and raids because they were funded by the Thai Tom Yam Kung network of restaurants. The restaurants, big and small, collected the money through blackmail and demands for protection fees from local businessmen and channelled the sum to the separatists," Surayud said. Surayud said the government is attempting to break down the network in order to halt the series of violent attacks in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces. There are hundreds of Thai Tom Yam Kung stalls and restaurants along the ThaiMalaysia border, mostly in the city of Kota Baru in Kelantan, as well as in the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Most of the restaurants are owned by Thai Muslims from the three troubled provinces of Thailand. Surayud will hold a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday with southern violence top on the agenda. The Nation
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