Island security stepped up for Apec

PHUKET (Gazette, Nation): A team of 150 officers from Region 8 police headquarters in Surat Thani are in Phuket to bolster security during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings, Pol Col Ronapong Saikaew, Superintendent of Investigation Police Region 8, said today. Col Ronapong told the Gazette, “There are 150 investigation and inspection policemen covering every area where Apec [meetings] will take place in Phuket.” His announcement follows the capture of Hambali, also known as “Asia’s most wanted man”, in Ayudhaya earlier this week. Hambali, who is wanted for the terrorist bombings in Bali and Jakarta, was at the time of his arrest allegedly in possession of explosives and weapons believed to be used to stage a terrorist attack on an Apec summit. Uniformed and undercover police officers will be on duty around the clock at hotels hosting the Phuket meetings, which run until August 23.