Thai DPM to discuss solutions in far South with Mahathir

BANGKOK, February 4 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung plans to meet former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to discuss security solutions for Thailand’s far South bordering Malaysia. Police Captain Chalerm told reporters on Monday that the date of his meeting with Dr. Mahathir is being worked out, as vote campaigns are being planned in Malaysia, saying that he hopes Dr. Mahathir can mediate between the Thai government and insurgents in the Thai deep South. Chalerm insisted that his planned discussion with the former Malaysian prime minister would not develop the security issue in the southernmost Thai region into a territorial separation or an international issue, noting that he also plans to have such the talks with Indonesia. Meanwhile, Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha acknowledged that over the next few months, 4,000 newly recruited police will be deployed in the southern border Thai region. According to the Thai army commander-in-chief, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has ordered discussions with police to find out whether violent cases happening in the Thai far South were security cases, as 2,000 out of 7,000-8,000 violent cases which were reported in the Thai deep South last year were genuine security cases. (TNA)