Suspects detained after search on Muslim-populated island in Pang Nga

Col Prinya Chaidilok, spokesman of the Fourth Region of Internal Security Operation Command confirmed Tuesday the report that four Thai Muslims were detained for further questioning.

"The fourth army region is informed that four men were detained during a search on Yao Island, which is off Pang Nga province," Prinya said.

However Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declined to comment on the reports, saying that he would not respond to rumours.

In a separate interview, Asean chief Surin Pitsuwan said the search on Yao Island on Monday night was a routine one.

Surin said the search was aimed at creating confidence on the security of the Asean meeting.

Prinya told reporters that although the army's initial suspicion is that the four may involve in drug-related case, the army would also investigate whether they involved in violence in the deep southern provinces, recent suicide bombs in Indonesia or in any attempt to instigate chaos during Asean meeting in Phuket or not.

He expressed confidence on the security provided for participants to the Asean meeting in Phuket.

Meanwhile a police source said that police searched a house belonging to one of the detainees on the island and found nothing illegal.

However police found pre-cursor chemicals in a pickup and a Honda Jazz in a car park of a pier on the mainland opposite Yao island.

Earlier Navy Commander in Chief Adm Kamthorn Pumhirun said that the joint forces conducted the search on the Muslim-populated island on Monday night after receiving a tip-off.