Emergency decree extension to be imposed in Deep South

BANGKOK, 9 March 2012 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha will propose to the cabinet a 3-month extension period for the emergency decree in Thailand’s Deep South, hoping to reduce violence in the region.

General Yuthasak said the emergency decree committee had decided that it would be best to extend the decree in the three southern border provinces for another 3 months to contain the violence. Due to the efficiency of the decree in the past 4 years, the extension was seen as an appropriate move to sort out the problem.

The extension will be enforced from March 20–June 19. It will also be the 27th time the emergency decree has been extended in the area. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, a new security strategy will also be employed to restore peace in addition to the decree. The extension is said to make it easier for the authorities to handle the situation in the Deep South.

In light of the latest attack on the military base in Bacho district, Narathiwat province, General Yuthasak said 4 soldiers have been injured while 6 others are now being hospitalized. He claimed the insurgents entered the base to steal military weapons. Although the number of the culprits has not been determined, the deputy premier insisted that the investigation is now underway. The authorities have been instructed to increase their protection and patrols around military bases and their vicinities.