Roadmap for Improving the Southern Situation

(17/08/2011)

The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center is working out a roadmap for improving the situation in the southern border provinces. The Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center, Mr. Panu Uthairat, stated that the roadmap is aimed at restoring peace in the deep South as a tribute to His Majesty the King on the occasion of his 84th birthday celebrations this year. The statement came after Her Majesty the Queen voiced concern over the southern troubles in her speech on the eve of her 79th birthday on 11 August 2011. Her Majesty said that it shocked her to hear news reports about attacks on Buddhist monks in the South during morning alms. She was also saddened, since such an incident had never occurred and monks did not cause trouble to the people. Even state officials, teachers, and local people, both Buddhist and Muslim, were affected by the acts of violence. Her Majesty called on everyone to join forces in seeking ways to restore peace in the South as soon as possible. Mr. Panu pointed out that Her Majesty the Queen’s speech indicated that the southern situation was an important issue and that violent attacks against innocent people were considered inhumane. As an agency responsible for tackling southern problems, he said, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center would step up efforts to ensure peace in the deep South and rehabilitate the affected people. It is also working closely with the Advisory Council on the Administration and Development of Southern Border Provinces in working out the roadmap for improving the southern situation. The advisory council comprises officials, religious leaders, community leaders, and members of civil society organizations. It was set up in virtue of the 2010 Southern Border Provinces Administration Act. Mr. Panu said that the tackling of southern problems needs cooperation from all parties concerned. Among the problems is the distortion of religious principles to mislead the people. He said that in early 2011, an act of violence took place in Khok Pho district of Pattani province, killing one monk and one novice and injuring one monk. Later, two monks were shot in Yaha district of Yala province. He said that the resolving of the southern situation now shows a positive sign, as local residents have given more cooperation in providing officials with useful information. Community leaders and village heads have been asked to recruit more volunteers to help develop local villages as safe places. According to Mr. Panu, violence in the South still remains but the number of violent incidents is on the decline. He believes that the decline is a result of efforts to ensure justice, create better understanding between local people and officials, and develop on a continual basis to improve local people’s living conditions. A poll conducted recently shows that local people have become more satisfied with the government operations to handle the southern situation.