Violence in restive Thai south forces school closure

BANGKOK, Nov 26 (Reuters) About 500 schools in three restive southern Thai provinces have been closed indefinitely amid escalating violence in the Muslim-dominated region.

At least 336 primary and secondary schools in Pattani decided late yesterday not to open this week shortly after two teachers were shot dead by suspected Muslim militants, said Boonsom Thongsriprai, president of the province's schools federation.

At least 95 schools in neighbouring Yala and several dozen schools in Narathiwat provinces also cancelled classes, he said.

''We need to close to assess the security situation and review what safety measures are being provided for teachers,'' Boonsom told Reuters by phone.

''We appreciate the problems facing security officials assigned to maintain law and order in the south. They work in a difficult and hostile environment,'' he said.

Boonsom said 59 teachers, mostly Buddhists, had been killed by suspected militants in the three provinces this year.

Almost daily bomb attacks on government offices and public places and ambushes of state officials and civilians in the troubled region have killed more than 1,800 people since 2004.

Insurgents staging the attacks have never claimed responsibility for any violence or spelt out their aims.

Last week Thailand's military-appointed government embarked on a peace offensive in the south, saying it would launch a development programme for the region.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he would take control of policy on the region.

REUTERS BDP HT0920