ID :
188737
Wed, 06/15/2011 - 11:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/188737
The shortlink copeid
THAILAND WILL REMOVE EMERGENCY LAW IN SOUTHERN THAILAND SOON - ARMY
From Ibnu Khusairi Ibnu Aris
PATTANI, Thailand, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Emergency Law, issued in the three Southern Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala since 2004, would be removed soon, said Internal Security Operations Command Fourth Army Region 4 Deputy Commander Major-General Acra Tiproch.
He said this would be based on the positive progress in cooperation of the people and government officials in resolving local issues.
He said, this in turn, would enable government officials such as army and police personnel, teachers and health officers to carry out their respective jobs smoothly when dealing with villages in the region.
"We believe the people now have confidence in the government. Currently, there is no village which government officers cannot enter.
"In total, there are more than 1,900 villages in Southern Thailand and they (villages) allow us to enter (without any hassle)," noted Acra.
Speaking to reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with the Media Familiarisation Trip Thailand 2011 here Tuesday night, he said the government would seek the opinion of the people in the three provinces before making any decision on the Emergency Law.
"We will ask the people whether they are ready to have the law removed...if
the people say, 'yes', the Emergency Law will be removed, according to district
level," he said.
Asked why it would be removed soon, Acra said the people in Southern
Thailand were happy with the government, knowing it was doing its best to
protect them from harm.
He said the government was using the "understand, reach and develop
approach" to resolve all issues and conflicts involving Southern Thailand since
2004.
"We try to use this policy. For the time being, we are now in the process of
development which the Government of Thailand is focusing seriously on, in
improving the people's health.
"We practice love and peace for the ordinary community here, but for the
insurgents whom we refer to as the violent group, we use strong laws to stop
them from creating unrest and problems in the region.
"The government is trying hard to improve the economic status here, with
new projects and development in the South," said Acra.
On Jan 18, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the
Emergency Law would continue at the three districts until April 14, but that it
would be removed, depending on the situation.
Since the campaign for autonomy from the Thai Government, about seven years
ago in the Southern province, more than 4,000 people have been killed.
Meanwhile, beginning June 12, 16 representative from Malaysia, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, India and Brunei gathered in Bangkok and
Southern Thailand to view the current situation in the conflict areas.
Malaysia is represented by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), TV3
and Utusan Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
PATTANI, Thailand, June 15 (Bernama) -- The Emergency Law, issued in the three Southern Thai provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala since 2004, would be removed soon, said Internal Security Operations Command Fourth Army Region 4 Deputy Commander Major-General Acra Tiproch.
He said this would be based on the positive progress in cooperation of the people and government officials in resolving local issues.
He said, this in turn, would enable government officials such as army and police personnel, teachers and health officers to carry out their respective jobs smoothly when dealing with villages in the region.
"We believe the people now have confidence in the government. Currently, there is no village which government officers cannot enter.
"In total, there are more than 1,900 villages in Southern Thailand and they (villages) allow us to enter (without any hassle)," noted Acra.
Speaking to reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with the Media Familiarisation Trip Thailand 2011 here Tuesday night, he said the government would seek the opinion of the people in the three provinces before making any decision on the Emergency Law.
"We will ask the people whether they are ready to have the law removed...if
the people say, 'yes', the Emergency Law will be removed, according to district
level," he said.
Asked why it would be removed soon, Acra said the people in Southern
Thailand were happy with the government, knowing it was doing its best to
protect them from harm.
He said the government was using the "understand, reach and develop
approach" to resolve all issues and conflicts involving Southern Thailand since
2004.
"We try to use this policy. For the time being, we are now in the process of
development which the Government of Thailand is focusing seriously on, in
improving the people's health.
"We practice love and peace for the ordinary community here, but for the
insurgents whom we refer to as the violent group, we use strong laws to stop
them from creating unrest and problems in the region.
"The government is trying hard to improve the economic status here, with
new projects and development in the South," said Acra.
On Jan 18, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that the
Emergency Law would continue at the three districts until April 14, but that it
would be removed, depending on the situation.
Since the campaign for autonomy from the Thai Government, about seven years
ago in the Southern province, more than 4,000 people have been killed.
Meanwhile, beginning June 12, 16 representative from Malaysia, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, India and Brunei gathered in Bangkok and
Southern Thailand to view the current situation in the conflict areas.
Malaysia is represented by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), TV3
and Utusan Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
