Progress In South Thailand Will Eliminate Terrorism - ISOC

By Zainal Abdul Jalil PATTANI (SOUTH THAILAND), July 3 (Bernama) -- With the goal of eliminating terrorism, the Thai Government strongly supports efforts to make Southern Thailand a safe and developed region via an economic project based on the 'Strong, Peaceful and Stable' concept. Its Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) deputy spokesman, Colonel Yuthaman Petchmoang said the people were fed up with frequent violence and wanted to enjoy a life of peace and security. "Now, we are heading towards an era of change from violence to settlement. Therefore, the people need to cooperate by helping the government to eradicate violence so that they can enjoy the life they desired. "This government's approach is the strategy to transform South Thai from being a turbulent and backward zone and place security at the best level," he told Bernama here. Yuthaman was met at the 'Pattani City of Peace, Culture and Three Religions’ organised by the Pattani Regional Culture Department, with the support of the South Thailand Media Association (STMA) on Saturday. He said the implementation of the strategy was successful following the decline in bombings and gunfights between certain groups and the authorities, of late. "ISOC is responsible for building understanding to create a continuous serene and peaceful atmosphere. The developments reported by the media are not the same as what you see today. The situation now is safer,” he said. According to Yuthaman, the Yala Region will become a tourism centre when an airport under construction in Betong is completed by the end of 2019. Betong Airport, which is about 280km from the Hatyai International Airport will attract more local and Malaysian tourists to use it, he added. He said a well-known 'Betung chicken' village in Yala would be developed, together with the growth of 'high-priced' fish eggs. Yuthaman said Sungai Golok in the Narathiwat Territory on the Kelantan border would be Malaysia-Thailand's trading centre to advance and stimulate the economy of both countries. The agricultural products cultivated in the Nongchik district in Pattani Region and fish landed in the Bekah harbour could be exported to Malaysia, he added. "When the economy is stable, we are confident security would be assured. Investors and tourists will come and the people will live a prosperous life by carrying out healthy, economic activities," he said. Yuthaman said the presence of visitors at the week-long party since the last two nights was a measure of the lifestyle of city dwellers in Pattani due to security which was under control. -- BERNAMA