Anti-govt activities in North

Anti-govt activities in North.

Frequent bomb hoaxes and widespread distribution of leaflets criticising the ruling Council for National Security (CNS) have prompted authorities to increase surveillance of possible threats to the government in Chiang Rai, a stronghold of the Thai Rak Thai party ousted from power in September. Pol Maj-Gen Suthep Detraksa, chief of Chiang Rai provincial police, said there had been numerous bomb hoaxes over the past week. Leaflets and other media materials criticising the CNS, which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the Sept 19 coup, have also been distributed in several districts, he said.

Chiang Rai is one of a number of provinces where the military and police are keeping a close eye on political activities by supporters of the ousted government.

In one such incident, police and soldiers inspected a bridge across the Mae Sai river after receiving a bomb threat yesterday. However, nothing suspicious was found. Authorities said there were five bomb threats on Saturday alone.

So-called political undercurrents across much of the North and Northeast continue to worry the CNS.

Fire damaged the floor of a primary school in Muang district of Ubon Ratchathani on Saturday. Police said they were investigating whether or not it was an act of arson meant to undermine the interim government.

In Nong Khai, a fire at a temple in Tha Bo district on Saturday damaged a monks' living quarters. Nong Khai has been hit by a series of fires at schools and temples since the coup.

Bangkok Post
Monday January 15, 2007