KOTA BARU: Thai police have assured the safety of Malaysian tourists who plan to visit the country in the upcoming Deepavali holidays.
Narathiwat province police chief Maj Gen Maitree Santayakul said the Thai authorities are stepping up security so that tourists will feel safe.
He said this following a series of attacks and violence in the southern part of Thailand, including Narathiwat province.
"Based on our investigation, the suspected insurgents are targetting police and enforcement bodies in their attacks.
"Most of the attacks also occured in the areas belonging to the security force.
"Following these incidents, Thai authorities increased their security to ensure all civilians as well as Malaysian tourists including those from Kelantan, are safe," he added.
On Monday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain urged Malaysians who plan to visit southern Thailand during Deepavali to exercise heightened caution following seven coordinated attacks and bombings in the region on Oct 9 and 10.
He had also advised travellers to stay updated on the latest developments in Thailand.
The Oct 9 and 10 violence, which was attributed to suspected insurgents, resulted in the deaths of a policeman and a villager, and primarily targeted security forces in the provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani.
Malaysian tourists often visit southern Thailand during school and public holidays and they frequently enter the kingdom through border points in Kelantan, Perlis and Kedah.
Apart from shopping, many Malaysians are drawn to the region for its delicious and affordable Thai cuisine.