DPM visits Thai South to present security policies

SONGKHLA, THAILAND, December 21 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan is visiting Songkhla Province in the Thai Far South on Monday to introduce security policies and welcome about 1,000 former insurgents who have defected to help restore peace in the southernmost Thai region. Accompanied by the deputy defence minister, the permanent secretary for defence, the army chief and the national police chief, General Prawit briefed the public safety policies to heads of local government agencies in the Thai deep South upon his arrival in Songkhla. General Prawit then presided over an event to welcome about 1,000 insurgency defectors who had earlier disagreed with government policies, but they now understand the government and intend to, from now on, support government authorities to develop the Thai Far South and restore peace there. General Prawit told journalists that he introduced security policies to provincial governors, soldiers and police in the region, while also instructing them to be ready to assist local people because heavy downpours, with possible floods, have been forecast in the southern Thai region this week due to a monsoon. (TNA)