ID :
93988
Wed, 12/09/2009 - 14:03
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Thai PM confident joint visit to restive South will strengthen cooperation with Malaysia
NARATHIWAT, Dec 9 (TNA) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday said his visit to the violence-plagued province of Narathiwat with his Malaysian counterpart will foster improved cooperation in tackling the problem of local residents holding dual nationality as well as quelling the violence in the restive south.
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Malaysian Counterpart Najib Razak are visiting Narathiwat amid tightened security while a spate of bombings has hit the three southern border provinces.
"The Malaysian prime minister and I want to create understanding among local residents. What my government will do for them. The Friendship Bridge (and improved) education and economy are what we want to happen,” Mr Abhisit said.
"The problem of dual nationality is a technical problem. We need to exchange information at the outset and we agree to end this problem by (the end of) 2010," the Thai prime minister said.
Information exchanges between the two countries will help officials efficiently track the movement of some groups which caused the problem and abuse their dual nationalities (to escape), said Mr Abhisit.
The Thai leader added that he believed his joint visit with the Malaysian leader in Narathiwat is not only symbolic but will build confidence and understanding among local residents.
Malaysia is worried about the situation of Thailand’s southern border provinces, Mr Abhisit said, even though it respects that is Thailand’s internal problem, but it also affects neighbouring Malaysia.
"Discussions between the two governments help create understanding and leads to a better direction," said the Thai premier. "The standpoint that the Malaysian prime minister has expressed through joint news conferences and media interviews also helps us a lot."
The Malaysian prime minister said on Tuesday that the southern unrest was a chronic problem facing Thailand and he supported the Thai measures to tackle it.
"We understand it is going the be a lengthy process, but the Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit has specific plans to move forward in a positive and constructive manner, and it is incumbent on the people of southern Thailand to respond," Mr Najib said.
Regarding the issue of autonomy in Thailand's southern border provinces, Mr Abhisit said that he has not discussed the matter with his counterpart, saying that the clear and ultimate goal is to respond to the need of local people, whatever position will be taken must be in accordance with the Thai Constitution.
The two leaders have jointly witnessed a ceremony renaming a bridge spanning the Sungai Kolok River bordering the two countries as the "Friendship Bridge".
"I have no doubt in my mind that this Friendship Bridge will serve its noble purpose and boost further the various economic, social and cultural activities between our two countries," Najib said at the renaming ceremony.
Extending 120 metres across the river demarcation of the national boundary and 16.9 metres wide, the bridge was officially opened for service on December 21, 2007 by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Surayud Chulanont, the then-prime ministers of Malaysia and Thailand to boost the border trade.
The Thai and Malaysian leaders also witnessed the signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding (MoU) in management, maintenance and utility of the "Friendship Bridge" to most benefit the two countries.
Meanwhile, Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam expressed confidence over security measures implemented during visit of the two leaders in Narathiwat.
Mr Thavorn said clash between suspected insurgents and security forces following Wednesday morning’s bombing in Ruso district which seriously wounded three military personnel is a normal occurrence for a security unit and will not affect the visit of the Malaysian premier.
The deputy prime minister commented that the series of bomb attacks on Wednesday in the South is aimed at expressing dissatisfaction of the insurgent groups against the close ties of the two countries. (TNA)
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Malaysian Counterpart Najib Razak are visiting Narathiwat amid tightened security while a spate of bombings has hit the three southern border provinces.
"The Malaysian prime minister and I want to create understanding among local residents. What my government will do for them. The Friendship Bridge (and improved) education and economy are what we want to happen,” Mr Abhisit said.
"The problem of dual nationality is a technical problem. We need to exchange information at the outset and we agree to end this problem by (the end of) 2010," the Thai prime minister said.
Information exchanges between the two countries will help officials efficiently track the movement of some groups which caused the problem and abuse their dual nationalities (to escape), said Mr Abhisit.
The Thai leader added that he believed his joint visit with the Malaysian leader in Narathiwat is not only symbolic but will build confidence and understanding among local residents.
Malaysia is worried about the situation of Thailand’s southern border provinces, Mr Abhisit said, even though it respects that is Thailand’s internal problem, but it also affects neighbouring Malaysia.
"Discussions between the two governments help create understanding and leads to a better direction," said the Thai premier. "The standpoint that the Malaysian prime minister has expressed through joint news conferences and media interviews also helps us a lot."
The Malaysian prime minister said on Tuesday that the southern unrest was a chronic problem facing Thailand and he supported the Thai measures to tackle it.
"We understand it is going the be a lengthy process, but the Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit has specific plans to move forward in a positive and constructive manner, and it is incumbent on the people of southern Thailand to respond," Mr Najib said.
Regarding the issue of autonomy in Thailand's southern border provinces, Mr Abhisit said that he has not discussed the matter with his counterpart, saying that the clear and ultimate goal is to respond to the need of local people, whatever position will be taken must be in accordance with the Thai Constitution.
The two leaders have jointly witnessed a ceremony renaming a bridge spanning the Sungai Kolok River bordering the two countries as the "Friendship Bridge".
"I have no doubt in my mind that this Friendship Bridge will serve its noble purpose and boost further the various economic, social and cultural activities between our two countries," Najib said at the renaming ceremony.
Extending 120 metres across the river demarcation of the national boundary and 16.9 metres wide, the bridge was officially opened for service on December 21, 2007 by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Surayud Chulanont, the then-prime ministers of Malaysia and Thailand to boost the border trade.
The Thai and Malaysian leaders also witnessed the signing ceremony of memorandum of understanding (MoU) in management, maintenance and utility of the "Friendship Bridge" to most benefit the two countries.
Meanwhile, Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam expressed confidence over security measures implemented during visit of the two leaders in Narathiwat.
Mr Thavorn said clash between suspected insurgents and security forces following Wednesday morning’s bombing in Ruso district which seriously wounded three military personnel is a normal occurrence for a security unit and will not affect the visit of the Malaysian premier.
The deputy prime minister commented that the series of bomb attacks on Wednesday in the South is aimed at expressing dissatisfaction of the insurgent groups against the close ties of the two countries. (TNA)
