4th Army Chief: Situation in South improves

 

 

BANGKOK, 19 March 2018, (NNT) - According to the 4th Army Commander, the situation in southern Thailand has significantly improved, judging from the economic performance and the rising number of people joining the ‘Bring People Home’ campaign. 

The ‘Bring People Home’ campaign aims mainly at helping dissenters and their sympathizers to see the error of their ways and join the dialogue. Lt Gen Piyawat Nakwanich, the 4th Army Chief, reiterated that the campaign deploys diplomacy as a means to promote peace in the South. He said recently there are 23 people expressing interest in joining the program. 

Lt Gen Piyawat reported that 288 participants in the first batch of the campaign have been reintegrated into society. However, there are those with criminal charges waiting to be tried. The 4th Army Commander said 96 people have joined the campaign’s 2nd phase. The group is currently undergoing career training. 

He called on all sides to help monitor the southern situation and urged those having different viewpoints to let go of their extremist ideas and join the effort to move the country forward.

 

-- nnt 2018-03-19

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Lt Gen Piyawat reported that 288 participants in the first batch of the campaign have been reintegrated into society.

He wont be smiling in the coming months when they have gone back to their old ways !

An analysis of the Bring People Home seems more realistic -

Thai Deep South: ‘Bring People Home,’ a PR Exercise or Effective Tool Against Insurgency?

2017-03-01

https://www.benarnews.org/english/commentaries/far-south-view/bring-home-03012017143534.html

In short the program doesn't affect the main insurgency group BRN. And any military abuses of the program might serve as a recruiting tool for the insurgents.

The General may be smiling. The two chaps behind don't seem to be sharing in the general "jollility"...