Deputy PM visits South

BANGKOK, May 2 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan calls a meeting with security agencies in the restive south on Monday. Prawit who is in charge of security matters met with army commanders and administrative officials at Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani’s Yarang district to assess the latest situation in the Muslim-majority border region. Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, commander of the Royal Thai Army General Chalermchai Sitthisart, commissioner general of the Royal Thai Police Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda, and local security officials and administrators attended the meeting. Despite continued violence in the deep south, Prawit said security had much improved from the past year. He said he intended to follow up on the government’s policy implementation by integrated efforts of all agencies in the area. The government’s top priority was to ensure safety for over two million residents and in the meantime push forward economic development to elevate people’s livelihood. He said with continued shootings and bomb attacks, business confidence had been eroded, therefore, all parties must work hard to restore peace in the region. (TNA)