New Front Command Cabinet expected to soon start mission in Thai Far South

BANGKOK, October 4 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved the establishment of the 13-member New Front Command Cabinet, tasked with a special mission on seeking solutions to the violence-plagued Thai Far South, in cooperation with all other relevant parties. Thai Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is a former army chief, has been appointed to head the newly-set up body. General Udomdej told journalists after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, during which the new body was approved, that he is ready to head the New Front Command Cabinet, which acts as the Thai government's special representative panel to help stop violent unrest in the southern border Thai region. General Udomdej said the new unit will work under the command of Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and Chief of the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and will focus on integrated operations among all relevant agencies. The deputy defence minister stressed that there will be no overlapping operations between the new unit and those under the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC). (TNA)