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Hundreds of monks arrive in violence-wrecked South

Nearly 350 monks arrived in the deep South at the start of Buddhist Lent as part of a government-sponsored project aimed at instilling a sense of confidence in the restive region where bombings and drive-by shootings are a near-daily occurrence.

Over 100 monks, carrying red bags saying "Fight!", got off a C130 plane in Narathiwat's Ban Thon airport to stay at local temples, ahead of the Buddhist Lent.//By Charoon Thongnual

"The 346 monks will spend this time in various temples in the area to boost morale among the Buddhist population there and to bring a message of peace to a place torn apart by the insurgency,'' said Air Force Commander Chalit Pukbhasuk who saw the monks off from Bangkok.

Buddhist Lent - a three-month period - marks the beginning of the rainy season, a time when monks must remain on temple ground.

The monks arrived in the Muslim-majority region by military aircraft.

Army spokesman Colonel Acra Thiproch said authorities will provide around the clock security for the monks.

Most monks in the region go out on alms-seeking routine with military escort. Some have come under bomb attacks by insurgents.

Hundreds of monks arrive in violence-wrecked South

Nearly 350 monks arrived in the deep South at the start of Buddhist Lent as part of a government-sponsored project aimed at instilling a sense of confidence in the restive region where bombings and drive-by shootings are a near-daily occurrence.

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