PM promises to quickly restore peace in Thai far South

BANGKOK, December 29 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has promised to quickly restore peace in the violence-plagued Thai far South and to promote Thai halal food products internationally. While opening the Thailand Halal Assembly at the Centara Grand Hotel in Bangkok on Monday, Prime Minister General Prayut noted that the assembly shows Thailand has potential to develop the country's halal food, which helps stimulate the national economy. The prime minister pointed out, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), set to be formed by the end of 2015 with Thailand becoming a part, will be a regional big market of about 300 million Muslim consumers alone and the Thai government is, thus, working hard to be in time for the good opportunity. The prime minister suggested, however, that Thailand's production and raw materials must comply with religious rules and international standards. The prime minister also insisted that his government treat people of all religions equally, saying that opening the halal assembly was his first chance as the prime minister to meet Muslims in person. Together with the Islamic spiritual leader, the prime minister, meanwhile, witnessed the signing of a mutual recognition arrangement that involved the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand and the Halal Science Center of Bangkok-based Chulalongkorn University. (TNA)