Suspected Muslim insurgents burn Thai rubber warehouse

The Straits Times, February 21, 2007


BANGKOK - Suspected Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand set fire on Wednesday to a large warehouse for rubber - a cornerstone of the region's economy - with firefighters unable to control the raging blaze for hours, police said.

Smoke blanketed large areas of Yala province as more than 30 fire trucks struggled to douse the flames, police Colonel Phumphet Pipatpetphum said.

The fire followed a bold, coordinated assault by separatist rebels which killed eight people and wounded nearly 70 in a 24-hour period beginning on Sunday night.

Col Phumphet estimated that more than 100 tons of rubber sheet had already been destroyed out of a total stock of about 1,000 tons.

The rubber at the 8,000-square metre warehouse compound was being readied for export, he said. Rubber production is one of the few viable industries in the rural provinces of southern Thailand.

The attacks took place in all four southern provinces - Yala, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla - where the militants operate.

About 2,000 people have been killed in the area in the separatist insurgency that flared in January 2004.

Despite the arrests and increased security, suspected insurgents carried out more attacks on Tuesday, including at least two bombings. -- AP