Executive decree in Thai far South extended for three more months

BANGKOK, September 11 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has extended the imposition of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations in the country's violence-plagued deep South for three more months. Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa told journalists that, given the Cabinet's decision at its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Thai government's enforcement of the executive decree will continue in three southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, except Mae Lan District in Pattani, for three more months, from September 20 to December 19, as proposed by the Internal Security Operations Command or ISOC and other concerned agencies. General Yuthasak acknowledged although the overall situation in the Thai far South has been improving, violent incidents have continued, insisting that once the situation in the Thai deep South significantly relieved, the imposition of the special law would end early. Regarding reports on insurgents' surrender and negotiation with 4th Army Area Command chief Lieutenant General Udomchai Thammasarorat, General Yuthasak noted the issue would be discussed. The deputy premier revealed that about 80 people who adhere to moderate movements demand protection for their life and legal status and job security in exchange for their surrender, and that additional hundreds of them would also surrender if the government agreed with the demands and provided them with justice especially for their legal cases. According to the deputy premier, the surrender results from the 4th Army Area Command chief’s project to bring people home and the group of people apparently starts to realize that unrest has affected their families, life and living and they disagree with new and hardcore groups; so, the moderate group has sent their representatives to negotiate with the government. The deputy premier pointed out that present developments are positive, saying that after the negotiation, a government working group will be set up to promote public participation in southern solutions.(TNA)