Deputy army chief backs curfew in Thai far South

BANGKOK, August 10 (TNA) - Deputy Army Chief General Dapong Ratanasuwan has suggested that a carefully imposed curfew should separate the good from the bad and the restoration of peace in Thailand's insurgency-plagued far South would relieve concerns of Their Majesties the King and Queen. Regarding a proposed curfew in the Thai deep South which has drawn opposition, General Dapong pointed out that normal life appears to be impossible in areas with any abnormal situation; so, he considers a curfew can distinguish good people from bad ones. General Dapong acknowledged that a curfew has not been imposed because concerned authorities are taking careful consideration, and that all state security measures are aimed at protecting people in the troubled southernmost region; while local people are to beware that the Thai military has never agreed with insurgency. The deputy army chief insisted that the Thai government has never planned to use forces to cope with problems in the far South because the problems resulted from conflicts of opinions. The deputy army chief said that Their Majesties the King and Queen have been concerned over the situation in the Thai far South and have followed up developments in the region on a daily basis; so, he believes if the situation in the deep South improved or returned to normal, Their Majesties the King and Queen would become healthier.(TNA)