NSC head says southern situation improving

BANGKOK, 8 March 2016 (NNT) – The secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) has affirmed that an attempted robbery of weapons at Wang Burapha was not related to terrorism and that the situation in the southern border provinces has improved, with violent incidents down 60 percent.

NSC Secretary-General Gen Thawip Netniyom has stated that efforts to avoid and stop violence in the southern border region have been able to reduce incidents by up to 60 percent. While admitting that movements to stir unrest continue, the general asserted that strict work to combat insurgents, better utilization of intelligence and peace dialogues have proven to be effective.

The NSC head pointed out that the secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) recently stated before an OIC summit in Indonesia that he does not support separatism and wishes to see all Muslims live in peace.

On a recent attempt to steal guns from a Wang Burapha area store, the NSC chief affirmed that the incident was not related to terrorism. He also said that the recent implication of politicians on a list of influential individuals would be dealt with by relevant agencies.


-- NNT 2016-03-08

Daily attacks are still common, still lots of dead and wounded. Facebook usually shows the gruesome aftermath.

strict work to combat insurgents, better utilization of intelligence and peace dialogues have proven to be effective.

What peace dialogues? The insurgents have insisted on international observers and mediators as a condition to peace talks and the junta has refused.

While the military has increased armed control of the South reminiscent of the Thaksin era, its peace campaign has been largely a Public Relations strategy. Otherwise, ISOC spokesman Maj Gen Banpot Poonpian said that "peace would return to the southernmost provinces when the local people and state officials cooperated fully with each other." That essentially requires unconditional surrender of the insurgents.