100 border crossings closed; 27 still open

WASSANA NANUAM

The Fourth Army has sealed more than 100 illegal crossings along the Malaysian border, leaving only 27 checkpoints still open.

Lt-Gen Pisarn Wattanawongkeeree, the commander, said they were shut down by soldiers from the Thepsatri Force.

Of the 27 checkpoints which remain open,16 are in Narathiwat province, five in Satun, three in Songkhla and three in Yala.

The opening time of all but seven major checkpoints has also been limited to 6am-6pm. Those which can remain open after 6pm are Chang Lon and Padang Besar in Sadao district of Songkhla, Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat, Ban Taba at tambon Chehe in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, Ban Kapae Hulu in Betong district of Yala, Ban Wang Prachan in Khuan Don district of Satun, and Ban Tammalang in Muang district of Satun.

Lt-Gen Pisarn said extra police and military personnel will be on duty at all 27 checkpoints to ensure travellers are not inconvenienced. Soldiers will guard the shutdown crossings and anyone trying to use them will be arrested, he said.