OIC praises Thai government’s sincerity in solving problems in Far South

BANGKOK, January 13 (TNA) - Visiting Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Iyad Ameen Madani has expressed his appreciation to the Thai government’s sincerity in solving problems in the violence-plagued Far South. Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists of the positive prospect after a meeting between the visiting OIC chief and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House on January 12. The deputy spokesman said the prime minister welcomed the visiting OIC secretary-general as a guest of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend the Interfaith Dialogue, organized in the Thai capital by the ministry and the OIC’s Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture. The deputy spokesman stated that the OIC chief also recommended the Thai government to apply political mechanisms and negotiations, while the Thai prime minister informed that his government has implemented development projects in the Thai Deep South to improve the life of local residents and proceeded with a peace process, starting with the building of trust which would lead to a code of conduct to stop violence and an agreement on peaceful solutions to end violent unrest in the region. According to the deputy spokesman, the Thai premier also expressed readiness for comprehensive cooperation with OIC and organisations related to OIC, except issues concerning southern border provinces. Besides, both sides discussed the problem of Rohingya migration and agreed that the countries of origin of the migrants need to seriously solve the problem and base their solutions on human rights. The Thai prime minister, meanwhile, refused to speak anything to journalists after his meeting with the OIC chief, reasoning that the issues are sensitive. (TNA)