NSC to extend emergency decree in troubled southern provinces

BANGKOK, Dec 16 (TNA) -- The National Security Council (NSC) announced that it was preparing a resolution to extend the Emergency Decree in three insurgency-torn southern provinces for the cabinet to approve. These include Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani excluding Mae Larn district. A three month extension is being proposed starting from December 20, 2017 to March 14, 2018. A NSC meeting convened on the issue was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon who is also Defense Minister concluded that the resolution will be tabled for cabinet approval next week. This is the 50th extension of emergency decree as the situation in the three provinces still required attention. Gen Prawit also revealed that he had ordered the NSC to actively look at what other areas can have security protocols reduced as the main priority was the overall improvement of the livelihood of southern communities above all else. (TNA)