Thailand blocks cellphone in southernmost provinces to curb bombers
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Unregistered mobile phones will stop working in Thailand's insurgency-plagued southernmost provinces by mid-November - part of efforts to curb bomb attacks triggered by cellphones.
The plan aims to stop the triggering of bomb attacks by mobile phone in the three southern provinces bordering Malaysia - Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala - where an insurgency has raged since January last year, claiming 1,000 lives.
"No matter if you're travelling from Bangkok or Malaysia, you must have registered your number in order to be able to use your mobile in the three provinces," deputy prime minister Chidchai Vanasathidya said. "Otherwise your signal will be cut."
Since May, users of prepaid mobile-phone services have been required to register with authorities, but communications authorities have now expanded that programme to include all cellphones.
"For the sake of public safety, we must know all telephone numbers in the area," said General Chidchai, who is also justice minister. The general said a special "gateway" technology that screens phone signals in the three provinces would be in place by November 15. "This measure will help prevent militants using mobile phones to trigger the bombs, but for time bombs and remote-control bombs, we will have to find a way to stop them," General Chidchai said.
Of 21.5 million users of prepaid mobile-phone services, just 8 million, or 37 per cent, have registered with the authorities, according to the Information and Communication technology Ministry. The registration period expires in December.
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