Thai PM visits restive South

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday visited the country's restive South amid security beef-up.

Security measures in the deep South have been implemented as around 1,000 combined military, police and administrative personnel have been deployed in Narathi was province to ensure law and order, Thai News Agency reported.

Abhisit went to preside over a ceremony to officially unveil a new road number 418 linking Klong Khud village in Nongjik district of Pattani province and Ta Sab village in Yala province.

And, prior to traveling to preside over the opening ceremony of the new road, Abhisit went to Sue Loh village of Rue Soh district in Narathi was to hand over land and houses to villagers, who were suffered the daily violence attack.

Among those who accompanied Abhisit were Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum, Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan and Army Chief General Anupong Paochinda.

Thailand's deep South comprises mainly the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwas and the four districts of Song-kla province.

Over 3,500 people have been killed in separatists violence since January 2004.

Source: Xinhua