Reenactment with suspect postponed for safety reasons

Songkhla - The Thai authorities on Monday postponed a police-led reenactment, with a suspect in custody, of last year's deadly car bombing of the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in this southern border province's Hat Yai commercial centre.

The Thai authorities Monday postponed a policeled reenactment, with a suspect in custody, of last year’s deadly car bombing of the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Songkhla's Hat Yai commercial centre. Police cited security concerns following recent insurgent attacks in the region.

Songkhla police commander Pol Maj Gen Suwit Chernsiri said Jehma Wani was arrested for involvement in the Lee Gardens bombing last March which killed three peopleincluding a Malaysian touristand wounded several hundred shoppers. He had been scheduled to reenact his understanding of the incident at the hotel today.

Suwit said the reenactment had to be postponed for safety reasons as violent attacks are still occurring in the restive region.

Bomb explosions were reported near the city clock tower in Pattani on Sunday, killing three defence volunteers and wounding about 10 people.

Last Wednesday, 16 insurgents were killed when they attacked a marine outpost in Narathiwat’s Bacho district.

Regarding security measures in Songkhla, Gen Suwit said security personnel had tightened security across the province. In Hat Yai commercial district, volunteer defence personnel have been deployed to ensure safety in all areas, in both commercial and tourist zones.