Thaksin Offers Cash For Peace In South Thailand

[george]

PM offers cash for peace in South

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday reiterated his multibillion-baht pledge to develop the economies of the country's three Muslim-dominated southernmost provinces in a bid to solve long-standing problems of violence and political conflict.

"I will use three years to transform Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani into areas of tourism, investment. People will have more jobs and better education," he said in his weekly radio address.

Thaksin was on a two-day visit to the three provinces where the majority are Muslims of Malay ethnicity, holding talks with various state agencies and local communities to tackle the incessant eruption of violence since a major incident on January 4.

On that day, unidentified assailants raided an army arsenal, making off with more than 300 weapons, and simultaneously torched 20 public schools in Narathiwat.

"The government will give the people more opportunity to develop to their full potential. The improvement of their economic conditions will lessen the chance of any separatists using their discontent as a groundswell to galvanise support," Thaksin said.

He said the government would use the three provinces as pilots in its poverty-eradication programme.

"There are people taking advantage of the fact that villagers have no hope in their present lives and pin their hopes on the next life," he said.

Former prime minister and senior adviser to the opposition Democrat party Chuan Leekpai said the premier's policy is misguided and may inadvertently encourage more killings in the southern region as a way to draw more development money.

Thaksin yesterday also ordered around-the-clock patrols in Narathiwat province by civil defence volunteers, and the installation of improved public transport and electricity in every village within six months.

Thaksin said that the regulation of Islamic schools, locally known as pondoks, had to be revised, saying the number of pondok schools would have to be reduced and they should follow the guidelines of Malaysia and Brunei, both Muslim countries.

Security agencies have conducted searches in several pondok schools to find suspects involved in the January 4 incident, as they were believed to be hiding places for the culprits. The government has attempted to strictly control these schools, asking them not to receive funding from abroad. Many Muslims have been frustrated by what they consider to be the insensitive way the searches were conducted.

Thaksin also said that the Thai-Malaysian border checkpoints would have to enforce more stringent rules and regulations. In addition, government officials would have to be more pro-active and communicate more with local people so as to build good relationships with them and gain their trust. He urged any government officials wanting to advance their career to move to this area and stay for a minimum of three years.

Earlier, the government pledged to spend 10 billion baht on economic and educational projects in the three provinces.

Somboon Bualuang, an academic from the Prince of Songkhla University at Pattani, said that money should not be the top priority if problems in the South are to be solved.

"The government needs to understand the [complex relationship] of culture, ethnicity and religion. They should not view Muslims with distrust. It also should engage local communities in any development projects," he said.

As Thaksin made his first trip to the three southernmost provinces since January 4, the violence has continued unabated.

Yesterday, two men on a motorcycle opened fire on eight Telephone Organisation of Thailand workers who were installing phone lines in Narathiwat, killing two, said Police Lt-Colonel Songphon Juimanee.

In Pattani province, Police Sgt-Major Chaipong Chanthong, 39, was shot in the stomach by two men while riding a motorcycle and was immediately sent to the Pattani Hospital. He is in a critical condition.

--The Nation 2004-02-15

[huski]

PM offers cash for peace in South

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday reiterated his multibillion-baht pledge to develop the economies of the country's three Muslim-dominated southernmost provinces in a bid to solve long-standing problems of violence and political conflict.

how about a leash law for dogs in sumat prakan as horny Georgie-Porgie may still be roaming around in the tall grass after he starts drinking.