Application to open for southern advisers

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) -- A considerable progress has been made on a plan to appoint a maximum of 45 advisers for administration and development of southern border provinces, aimed at ending an ongoing bloodshed in the troubled-region, said a spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC). The plan to appoint the advisers is in line with the policy of the National Council for Peace and Order, said the spokesman, adding that the ISOC and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) have discussed and agreed to appoint a 15-member committee to select qualified persons responsible for seven major tasks. The seven tasks include providing security, justice and rehabilitation, to create understanding both in and outside the country, improving education, religion and culture, developing potential of local areas, boosting state efficiency, and exploring peaceful ways out of conflicts. The spokesman said the selection committee will select qualified persons to ISOC and the SBPAC to consider. The advisory body would come from the direct selection and application. It is hoped that the appointment of 15-member selection panel would complete before the end of May. Eventually, the list of advisers will be forwarded to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha for his approval, the spokesman added. (TNA)