Government mulls to declare area in Thai Far South "safe zone"

BANGKOK, April 18 (TNA) - The government is considering to declare Joh Ai Rong District of Narathiwat Province in the troubled Thai Far South a now "safe zone". Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha told journalists of the idea after the Cabinet's weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House on April 17. The prime minister said he and other government officials hope that the improving situation in the insurgency-plagued Thai Far South, especially in Joh Ai Rong, should sustain in the long run, showing the "right track" of the Thai government's strategic solution to violent incidents in the region since early 2004. The prime minister explained that the Thai government's attempts to solve the violent unrest problem in the Deep South have relied on many strategies, including those on security and development programs, to sustain the solution by returning peace and order to the region. The premier praised Malaysia for the "coordinating role" the neighboring country's government has played, leading to peace talks between representatives of the Thai government and insurgency groups in the region. The Thai leader, however, urged people, especially local residents, to report any suspicious act they may find out or come across to authorities in their respective areas to prevent and sustain peace and order in Joh Ai Rong and other areas in the Thai Far South. (TNA)