PM says poverty major cause for terrorism

BANGKOK, June 4 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha said terrorism problem is mostly resulted from poverty, social disparity and an access to natural resources. In his address to participants attending the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 15th Asia Security Summit on Friday in Singapore, Gen Prayut said it is necessary to eliminate these problems if terrorism issue is to be resolved on a sustainable basis. Thailand agrees with the world community in opposing terrorism and on extremist and is willing to exchange intelligence and positive measures with Singapore, he said. Gen Prayut said he and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong have agreed to continue the two countries’ cooperation through existing mechanisms and the island country is ready to assist the kingdom in every field. The significant of the discussion for Gen Prayut was to point out that sustainable security was composed of military and development dimensions and to share Thailand’s experience in implementing self-sufficiency economy, a philosophy initiated by His Majesty the King, in moving the country forward. The discussion was organised on the occasion of 15th anniversary of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue. (TNA)