Thailand concerns over infiltration of terrorists

The scene of a bomb attack in Yala province of Thailand (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on November 14 expressed his concern that elements of the self-claimed Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist groups have entered the country.

Thai media quoted the official’s words during an interview on a campaign to sweep out cross-border criminals, who are believed to be hiding among 100,000 foreigners overstaying their visas in Thailand.

Prawit, also Defence Minister, stressed that the Thai Government is worrying over the possibility that foreign insurgents are staying in Thailand. He voiced his hope that the raid on illegal migrants will help the country discover IS militants were hiding.

According to Thai media, local authorities have started a large-scale campaign to spot illegal foreigners in the country since last week.

Dozens of crackdowns were launched in various areas of Bangkok capital city as well as some localities with large number of foreigners and border regions.

There are increasing concerns over the return of battle-hardened militants in Southeast Asia as the IS loses ground in the Middle East.-VNA