FM: Thailand trying to end southern unrest within three years

CAIRO, Egypt, July 18 (TNA) -- Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya has told Thai students in Egypt that the government would try to solve violence in deep southern Thailand within three years through improvement of laws and allowing politicians to be more responsive to local residents.

Mr. Kasit, who had attended the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, met Thai students, mainly from predominantly Muslim deep southern Thailand, who are studying in Cairo, reportedly telling them that the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has determined to resolve violence in the troubled region within three years.

A committee of ministers from the South and the prime minister as chairman has been set up, Mr. Kasit said.

Laws relating to the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) have been adjusted so that community-based politicians can provide political responsibility instead of civil servants as in the past, he said, a process that is continuing to eventually bring justice to the people, he said.

Also, the government will cooperate with Malaysia and Indonesia in improving the education syllabus for Muslim schools in southern Thailand, said Mr. Kasit.

Mr. Abhisit has invited his Malaysian counterpart to meet at a Southern border venue to seek his advice on improving education in the Thai Muslim religious schools, Mr. Kasit said.

He said SBPAC officials and southern community leaders are to travel abroad to learn how people following different religions could live together in harmony.

More than 3,500 people have died since early 2004 following a renewed insurgency in the restive South. (TNA)