Opposition attacks govt over southern violence

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the Democrat ruling coalition party had promised to "put out the fire in the South" within three months of taking office, but after eight months it had not made any progress. Violence continues with 299 people killed and 523 injured in 592 separate incidents.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had only paid attention to the Sondhi assassination case and ignored solving problems in the South, even though the Democrat Party had the most southern MPs.

In Hat Yai, security has been stepped up in the tourism city following rising violence in the four southern border provinces.

More plainclothes police have been deployed to vulnerable spots and explosive detection devices installed in community areas that are common targets for insurgents. More checkpoints have been established on important roads.

Maj General Kitti Intasorn,in charge of security in Hat Yai, said his unit would increase security efficiency by launching daily helicopter flights over the city in cooperation with land patrols. He called for a meeting with department stores and civic groups to step up security in their businesses and communities.