Pattani police tighten security for Children's Day

Security in Pattani has been stepped up ahead of Children's Day, with police checking for stolen vehicles so as to prevent them being used by insurgents to launch bomb attacks.

Pattani police chief Pol Maj-General Ekkapob Prasitwattanachai has ordered all police stations in the southern province to coordinate with troops and Interior Ministry officials in setting up 24-hour road checkpoints to prevent smuggling of stolen vehicles into densely populated areas.

Insurgents have reportedly stolen several pick-up trucks and motorcycles.

Ekkapob said police would seize any vehicle whose driver could not produce documents of ownership, with especially tight security for vehicles entering Pattani City. He said police were on the look-out for a grey Mazda Fighter pickup and a bronze Toyota Vigo truck.