State security forces in Thailand's deep South are prepared for possible insurgent attacks in the region when schools to be reopening on Monday, the official Thai News Agency reported on Sunday.

Fourth Army Area Command Commanding General Lt-Gen. Ongkorn Thongprasom, acting in his capacity as Director of the Southern Border Provinces Peacekeeping Command (SBPPC), said that insurgents were expected to set off bombs in some targeted places, including major roads, as schools to reopen on May 15.

"Security forces are ready for the insurgent attacks," Ongkorn said, adding "particularly to protect teachers and students traveling to schools and back to their homes, as well as officers on duty."

Ongkorn said intelligence reports indicated that insurgent bomb attacks to be carried out when the new semester begins.

The SBPPC chief said, however, that security officers in the three troubled southernmost provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala gained support and cooperation from local residents.

Source: Xinhua