KOTA BARU: Eighteen Thai suspects on the wanted list for being involved in crime activities in southern Thailand have escaped to neighbouring countries including Malaysia.
A Thai security spokesman said Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for the 18, who are all men.
The spokesman said the suspects have been involved in various crime activities including a series of bombing attacks in the southern provinces over the past three years.
The spokesman said their pictures have also been posted at all roadblocks in southern provinces namely Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani.
"These 18 are sought by Thai authorities for their involvement in various crime cases in the three provinces include the province bordering with Malaysia.
"Some of them were also involved in drugs and firearm smuggling activities along the Thai/Malaysia border.
"To help search for the 18, Thai authorities have placed their pictures at all the roadblocks which are jointly handled by army, police and district officers," the spokesman told New Straits Times.
"We believe they have been working in the countries as labourers and restaurant workers.
"There is a possibility that they also working in Kelantan," the spoeksman said.
Thai authorities are facing some difficulties to trace them as some of them have dual citizenship," he added.