Interior Ministry asks youths to focus on studies, especially religious principles

The Minister of the Interior has asked children and youths to focus on their studies and follow religious principles in order to assist in defusing violent incidents in the southern border provinces.

Minister of the Interior Aree Wongareeya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) hosted a ceremony to activate an underwater energy cable delivery initiative and to meet with local Thai Muslims in the Kho Samui (เกาะสมุย) district. Mr. Aree said on the occasion that children and youths should focus on their studies, and especially in religion classes, so that they may derive important principles with which to conduct their lives and perhaps assist authorities in solving the southern unrest situation.

The Minister of the Interior added that citizens should limit unecessary expenditure in accordance with the foundations of the self-sufficiency model, as well as seek to increase their income in an honest manner.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 January 2007

In this lifetime?

The last thing they want from the southern youth is more religious studies (indoctriniation).

How about somebody says what needs saying to the Muslims down there. "try having some fun, lighten up a bit, lifes worth living"

Won't say that as we all know that they must be appeased at every turn.

Might be moral panic in the rest of the coutry again, but all this dancing, partying, wearing spaghetti strap tops etc. is not blowing up and killing innocent people.

Ps, Mods, There was an article by the ministry of culture in the paper where a survey (of other old folk) said youth is out of control. Can't find it on here and lost the paper. Anybody else have the article?

How amusing. this would be the same (non-Muslim) interior minister who claims to have 16 wives? I suppose following his model might keep the youngsters off the streets....

This stuff goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks, who were pretty sure the world was going completely to h*ll because of the young people at the time.

I wish the politicians and gov't officials would take a look at the real problems and address those rather than this -airy-fairy crappola they dish out.

I wish it would work, but it's doubtful. The genie is already out of the bottle, and his name is 'Television.' And consumerism, and materialism. Good luck, though. Wow, an octengarian and septugenarian leadership. Will the youth listen?

the minister of interior now the energy, economy & education expert and a monk

Samui is not exactly South, religious studies here mean teaching "good morals", not indoctrination in extremism.

"Morals" are taught all over the world, in Thailand they are associated with religion, in the West they are not. Nothing to fret about.

I wonder, sometimes, just how 'in touch' world leaders and governments really are with 'young people'.

Certainly by this latest pronouncement, however well-intentioned, it appears that at least one person may be clear in what they want 'young people' to do, but they haven't a clue in how to deliver that message in a way that it might just be heard, welcomed, and acted upon.

Most of this, is just posturing and making statements to impress other older members of the elite.

Nothing is going to happen, as nobody from the younger generation gives an sh1t about a generation 2 levels older than they are. They (younger generation) know that death by old age will intervene before they can have any effect.