Royals to deliver medical equipment

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will visit the deep South tomorrow to hand over medical equipment raised by a royal charity flight earlier this month.

The Crown Prince will be accompanied by HRH Princess Srirasmi and HRH Prince Teepangkorn, who are all scheduled to visit Bannang Sata Hospital in Yala, and will present ambulances and sterilising machines to other local hospitals.

The Muslim-majority South has been plagued by the violence and close to 2,000 people have lost their lives in the near daily bombings, shootings and arson attacks.

The violence has prompted authorities as well as members of the Royal Family to provide assistance to the needy locals.

Yesterday, violence continued in the troubled region, with a further three people killed and 10 injured.

In Pattani's Yaring district, a roadside bomb exploded as a convoy of security officials and teachers went past. The blast killed merchant Ibroheng Beeyeeding, 28, who was riding his motorbike behind. Two security volunteers were also injured and a motorbike destroyed. The bombing prompted three schools in the nearby area - Ban Boodee, Ban Datoh and Ban Daloh Samilae - to temporarily close, as teachers feared for their safety.

Later, around noon, a bomb exploded in Yala's Muang district behind a roadside food stall. Six people were injured, including the owner Paibul Mainual, 62, and his wife Herm Mainual, 65, police said.

At 2pm in Kabang district in the same province, religious leader Doloh Samae was shot dead while riding his motorbike home. Police said an unknown number of gunmen shot him twice in the head. He died at the scene.

Separately, in Pattani's Khok Pho district, two villagers were attacked by an unknown number of gunmen while riding on a motorbike.

Uthai Boonpen, 60, died at the scene after being shot in the head, while his brother Amnuay Boonpen, 55, was critically injured.

Early yesterday morning, a bomb went off at a security checkpoint near the "Pornkasem" construction company, slightly injuring security guard Doloh Pumulukuji, 47.

Police believed Muslim militants were behind all the attacks.

The Nation
Thu, February 1, 2007