BANGKOK, Jan 22 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said there was not a religious conflict that caused violence in the deep South while urging people not to be used by any party with ill intentions.
The government did not overlook violent situations in southern border provinces but they did not result from any religious conflict. Representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) already visited the far South and confirmed that there was not a religious conflict, Gen Prayut said.
“There are new forms of conflicts unlike those happening in other countries. Do not try to relate things and please do not panic. Do not take any action that would meet the objective of those behind violence,” the prime minister said.
Gen Prayut said he ordered strict security measures at danger-prone areas including temples, schools, commercial zones and military bases. Authorities would intensify intelligence and local residents should cooperate with security measures which might affect their rights, the prime minister said.
Violent situations were rising in the far South but concerned parties should look into the real causes, he noted. Authorities would find out if they resulted from any political and electoral issue. The situations could involve many parties that wanted to promote themselves, the prime minister said.
There would be legal measures and peace talks which would prove to the international community that Thailand did not desire violent means, Gen Prayut said. (TNA)
