Motorcycles and cars will be kept away from polling booths in constituencies in the far South as security will be increased in the restive region during today's election.
The highest level of security has been ordered at polling stations as the Election Commission and local authorities work together to prevent any disturbances. Many areas of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, and recently Satun and Phatthalung, are under close watch for fear they may be prone to violent attacks, including car and motorcycle bombings.
In Pattani, law enforcement officers have cordoned off areas around the balloting stations near a market in the municipal area "no-vehicle zones". Parking is also off limits there. Pattani's election commission also asked for more security officers to guard the polling stations to build confidence among voters who are expected to turn up in droves today.
Similar measures are also under way in Yala, Narathiwat and Satun. In Yala's Muang district, police are setting up roadside checkpoints to look for criminal suspects on the run who are wanted on arrest warrants.
