Arsonists attack school, office

General News : Monday December 10, 2007

FAR SOUTH / VIOLENCE, FLOODS

Arsonists attack school, office

POST REPORTERS

Arsonists launched attacks in Songkhla and Pattani, damaging a school, a tambon administration organisation office and nine vehicles, police said yesterday. Ban Pruching school in Songkhla's Thepha district was the latest target. Three classrooms in a one-storey building were destroyed by the fire, leaving dozens of children with no place to study.

Witnesses said four men entered through the back of the school, poured petrol around the classrooms and set it alight.

The fire spread quickly destroying desks, chairs and other equipment, including two computers.

The elementary school, which caters to 221 students, is vulnerable to intruders as its fences are still under construction. Police believe the insurgent attack was in response to intensified activity by the security forces.

In Pattani, the office of Paseyawo tambon administration organisation was set alight in Sai Buri district on Saturday, destroying files, documents and office furniture.

Total damage was put at 500,000 baht, police said.

In Mayo district, nine vehicles were set on fire in front of a mosque, including trucks and a backhoe owned by a construction company, police said.

With the general election drawing closer, officials have been told to tighten security, especially at voting venues.

Meanwhile, heavy rain continued to pound Narathiwat, where 50 households were evacuated from severely flooded areas yesterday.

Nearly half of the province's 13 districts are severely flooded, with roads cut and many villages isolated.

In some areas, especially nearby Sungai Kolok and Sai Buri rivers, the flood water was reported to be up to 1.5 metres deep. The local weather office said the rain showed no sign of easing.

If the downpour continued, all districts in the province would soon be flooded, affecting up to 2,000 households, officials said.

By : Bangkok Post