PM concerns about public safety in South

BANGKOK, March 4 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha ordered authorities to seriously hunt for culprits behind violent incidents in the far South and hoped concerned parties would not link them with southern peace talks, government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Saturday. The prime minister was worried about public safety following a series of violent incidents in the far South. He also expressed condolences towards the relatives of dead victims and extended moral support to security officials, Lt Gen Sansern said in Bangkok. “The prime minister believes that neither Thai Buddhist nor Muslims want violence because all regions teach believers to do good and refrain from wrongdoing. People of both religions depend on each other and live together peacefully. So, religions should not be raised to cause any conflict,” Lt Gen Sansern said. In response to networks of southern Buddhists calling for decisive actions under Article 44 of the interim constitution against wrongdoers, Lt Gen Sansern said that there were several dimensions of causes to southern violence and solutions had to be planned carefully. The government was imposing normal laws and solutions through organisations and concerned officials were doing their best. Solutions were making progress and forceful actions might not be a right answer, the government spokesman said. “Violent incidents result from many factors including personal conflicts, narcotics, local politics and vested interest. They usually happen before, between and after peace negotiations. The society may misunderstand that such incidents resulted from the talks. Actually the government intends the negotiation process to reduce overall violence and losses. The government would like people to make well-informed judgment. The mass media should produce constructive reports and avoid shaking the morale of officials, provoking violence and mistrust and ruining the peace process that has gradually developed trust,” Lt Gen Sansern said. (TNA)