Thai PM to be asked to set clear solutions to border problems

BANGKOK, Dec 28 (TNA) - Thailand’s Defence Ministry through its border operations command has reported narcotic and illegal labour problems in 31 provinces across the country and will seek clear solutions from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to create balance between labour demands and security.

Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara chaired a meeting of the Thai border operations command of which he is the director on Tuesday (Dec 28). The meeting gathered concerned officials and governors of 31 provinces along the border.

Gen Songkitti said that the meeting reviewed the performance of the border operations command in the past year, acknowledged problems in the provinces and discussed possible solutions.

The meeting agreed that Thailand would coexist peacefully with neighbouring countries and promote the peaceful coexistence with traditions, cultures and mutual economic development.

Gen Songkitti said that the provinces were facing narcotics, illegal immigration, and increasing problems caused by illegal workers whose number was rising and who developed their own communities in the country.

He pointed out that solutions to problems caused by the alien people would be costly for concerned ministries including the Interior Ministry, the Public Health Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the Education Ministry.

“The National Security Council will report these problems to the prime minister so that clear solutions can be worked out later. Solutions must also cover economic and social dimensions. There must be balance between demands for alien workers, security and the society,” Gen Songkitti said.

Regarding battles along the Thai-Myanmar border, Gen Songkitti said that Thailand would not intervene in the internal affairs of neighboring countries.

Although refugees fled to Thailand at times, all of them have left and Thai authorities offer only humanitarian aid, he said.(TNA)