Security at Thailand border under control, says army chief

RANTAU PANJANG: Security at the Malaysia-Thailand border remains under control despite recent incidents of unrest in southern Thailand.Army chief General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan said military personnel stationed at the border have been instructed to beef up security, as smugglers might try to bring in drugs and other contraband during the festive season."Army personnel along the border continue to perform their duties as usual, and so far, intelligence officers have not reported any threats in their areas of responsibility.

"I constantly remind personnel to tighten border control and to maintain close cooperation with other enforcement agencies, including the police," he said.Speaking after visiting Pos Tok O here today, Hafizuddeain said army had posted 18 officers and more than 300 personnel at 11 posts along the border.Asked whether smugglers had shifted operations to army-controlled areas following the crackdown on illegal border crossings, he said the smuggling trend remained unchanged after the heightened enforcement, which took effect on Dec 1.



"It seems the smugglers are aware of our firm stance and we will not give them any opportunity."We are monitoring all illegal routes and smuggling hotspots under Op Merpati."During my brief meeting with the Kelantan police chief yesterday, we also discussed this issue and agreed to continue eliminating illegal routes and hotspots.

"Smuggling into our areas has reduced significantly since the crackdown," he said.Hafizuddeain added that army personnel had also been instructed to continue foot patrols and surveillance using high-tech devices such as drones."We use drones particularly in border areas that are difficult to access by normal transportation.

"So far, drones have proven effective in detecting smuggling," he added.Unrest in the three southern Thailand provinces bordering Malaysia during Ramadan had resulted in death and injury.On March 8, a gun and bomb attack outside the Sungai Golok district office killed two Thai volunteer policemen and injured several people.

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