BANGKOK, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday condemned an armed attack in southern Narathiwat province, in which gunmen opened fire and threw pipe bombs at a checkpoint on Wednesday, leaving five paramilitary rangers killed.
According to government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek, Anutin called the attack "a brazen act of terrorism" and ordered authorities to hunt down those responsible and apply the law to the fullest extent.
In a statement, Ratchada said the terrorist campaign is undermining peace talks, and the state must improve intelligence-gathering speed and strengthen protective measures for officials.
She stressed that the attack clearly constitutes terrorism aimed at killing state officials and poses a serious threat to national security and that the government will apply the law decisively, allowing no impunity for the perpetrators.
The prime minister has also ordered the defense minister to travel to Narathiwat to monitor the situation, inspect officials' operations, and meet with security agencies to work out both immediate and long-term measures to prevent and address terrorism in the southern border provinces, while directing all units to reassure and support local residents.
"The prime minister expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives and to the injured. He has instructed the relevant agencies to move quickly to assist and care for the injured and affected, with maximum compensation provided under regulations," the spokesperson said. ■