Thai PM holds talks with security officials on human rights in the South

BANGKOK, Nov 2 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday convened a meeting with senior Thai security officials on human rights concerns to be addressed in quelling the continuing insurgency in the country’s southern border provinces.

Among those attending the meeting are Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Tawin Pleansri, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Virasakdi Futrakul and Kraisak Choonhavan Democrat MP at Baan Phitsanulok.

The prime minister said he met to discuss problems of the southern unrest and human rights issues as they are seen and experienced differently by the civil and military authorities and the local residents.

"The meeting focused on the enforcement of the Internal Security Act in four districts of Songkhla. I ordered the authorities to respect the rights of local people," Mr Abhisit said.

He denied that he discussed the move of Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, chairman of the opposition Puea Thai party, who plans to visit Thailand’s neighbours, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Regarding Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's advice that the insurgency-torn southern border provinces of Thailand should be granted a certain degree of autonomy, Mr Abhisit said the Thai government wants more public participation in local administration and that the government is proceeding with the decentralization of power from central and provincial levels to local government bodies.

No matter what form of involvement actually takes place, the approach must not contradict the Constitution, Mr Abhisit said.

The Thai prime minister said he will talk with his Malaysian counterpart when Mr Najib visits Thailand in early December. (TNA)