Insurgents burned tires at some 40 locations in Thailand's restive southernmost province of Yala but no casualties were reported, the Thai News Agency reported on Tuesday.

An unknown number of insurgents, setting automobile tires afire at some 40 locations in seven districts of Yala from late Monday night to early Tuesday morning.

Police said burning tires were found on roads in 40 locations in the provincial seat, Raman district, Kabang district, Krong Pinang district, Yaha district, Bannang Sata district and Than To district.

The insurgents are believed to have divided into groups of seven or eight armed men who operated at seven districts almost simultaneously during the night, police said.

At some locations trees were felled to block roads. Electric cables and motorcycle tires were put together and burnt.

The authorities were inspecting the scenes and interviewing witnesses while viewing close-circuit camera footage to gather information of the suspects.

The police believed the insurgents aimed at causing turbulence in the region.

More than 5,000 people have been killed and more than 9,000 hurt in over 11,000 incidents, about 3.5 incidents a day, in Thailand's Muslim, ethnic-Malay dominated three southern border provinces -- Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, and four districts of Songkhla -- since violence erupted in January 2004. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)