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64804
Tue, 06/09/2009 - 11:27
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Thai army chief visits Narathiwat after mosque attack, condemns assailants
BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) - Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda visited the southern border province of Narathiwat on Tuesday to discuss the Monday night mosque massacre at Cho-airong district and seek ways to prevent future attacks.
Gen. Anupong asserted to reporters before flying to Narathiwat that the government's measures to solve the problems in the southern provinces was on the right track, particularly in its commitment to winning the hearts of local residents as the government has received positive responses from the public.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also praised the ways Thailand is using to relate to the people, as winning the hearts of the populace is a key factor in resolving overall problems, the army chief said.
Gen. Anupong accompanied Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on his official visit to Malaysia on Monday to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on ending the continuing violence in Thailand's South and on additional bilateral cooperation.
The Thai army chief condemned the men who stormed into a mosque filled with innocent men at prayer, saying it was a cruel and barbaric act.
The five or six heavily-armed men burst into a mosque in Joh-airong district through a back entrance at about 8.30pm, firing on about 50 menh inside the mosque who were praying.
Ten persons died at the scene and another succumbed en route to hospital, while a dozen others were seriously wounded and sent to hospital.
Gen. Anupong said the prime minister expressed concern over the incident in part because the insurgents blamed that government security personnel themselves had done the shooting and were responsible for the incident.
The prime minister assured local residents that his government’s security personnel will respect international standards in responding to the insurgency, said the army chief.
The insurgent groups are trying to push Thailand’s southern discord onto the international stage, he said, calling on the media to help clarify the government's measures and other responses in dealing with the insurgents and trying to solve the problem peacefully.
Gen. Anupong said on his Tuesday trip, he would discuss with agencies concerned to map out measures to prevent such attacks in the future and said that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, is scheduled to visit the southern provinces on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mr. Suthep said Gen. Anupong was on a fact finding mission and would brief him on the latest situation.
The deputy prime minister said he wanted the authorities to bring the assailants to justice but denied to speculate on the reasons for the attack, saying only that the situation in the southern provinces was sensitive.
Mr. Suthep said he will chair a meeting of the committee for developing the South on Wednesday and that the Cabinet will meet on southern issues at 5pm on Thursday. He would visit the southern provinces on Saturday to receive first hand information on the situation. (TNA)
Gen. Anupong asserted to reporters before flying to Narathiwat that the government's measures to solve the problems in the southern provinces was on the right track, particularly in its commitment to winning the hearts of local residents as the government has received positive responses from the public.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak also praised the ways Thailand is using to relate to the people, as winning the hearts of the populace is a key factor in resolving overall problems, the army chief said.
Gen. Anupong accompanied Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on his official visit to Malaysia on Monday to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on ending the continuing violence in Thailand's South and on additional bilateral cooperation.
The Thai army chief condemned the men who stormed into a mosque filled with innocent men at prayer, saying it was a cruel and barbaric act.
The five or six heavily-armed men burst into a mosque in Joh-airong district through a back entrance at about 8.30pm, firing on about 50 menh inside the mosque who were praying.
Ten persons died at the scene and another succumbed en route to hospital, while a dozen others were seriously wounded and sent to hospital.
Gen. Anupong said the prime minister expressed concern over the incident in part because the insurgents blamed that government security personnel themselves had done the shooting and were responsible for the incident.
The prime minister assured local residents that his government’s security personnel will respect international standards in responding to the insurgency, said the army chief.
The insurgent groups are trying to push Thailand’s southern discord onto the international stage, he said, calling on the media to help clarify the government's measures and other responses in dealing with the insurgents and trying to solve the problem peacefully.
Gen. Anupong said on his Tuesday trip, he would discuss with agencies concerned to map out measures to prevent such attacks in the future and said that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, is scheduled to visit the southern provinces on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Mr. Suthep said Gen. Anupong was on a fact finding mission and would brief him on the latest situation.
The deputy prime minister said he wanted the authorities to bring the assailants to justice but denied to speculate on the reasons for the attack, saying only that the situation in the southern provinces was sensitive.
Mr. Suthep said he will chair a meeting of the committee for developing the South on Wednesday and that the Cabinet will meet on southern issues at 5pm on Thursday. He would visit the southern provinces on Saturday to receive first hand information on the situation. (TNA)
