NSC: Situation in troubled South can improve if emergency decree lifted

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BANGKOK, Dec 28 – The overall situation in Thailand's violence-plagued southern border provinces will improve if the currently imposed emergency decree is revoked in the areas, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Tawin Pleansri said.

If the emergency decree is to be first lifted in Pattani’s Mae Lan district before Jan 1 as demanded by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the issue should be raised in today's Cabinet meeting, Mr Tawin said.

Martial law and the emergency decree have been in force in 33 districts in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. If evoked, martial law must be lifted first, followed by the lifting of the emergency decree and then the Internal Security Law then will be enforced to replace them, he added.

If the Cabinet approves, the prime minister will announce it, Mr Tawin said.

He said the emergency decree had been enforced in the southernmost provinces for more than five years and it was inevitable to have an impact on the rights of the people in the affected areas.

The premier believed that the situation at Mae Lan has improved and the emergency decree should be revoked, he said, adding that the early next year two more districts -- Yala's Kabang and Narathiwat's Sukhirin would be evaluate to lift the emergency decree.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said that the during his visit to Pattani and Songkhla on Monday, he travelled to boost the morale of officials in remote areas and discuss operations of local officials if a new law is to be applied to the southern border provinces in January.

He also followed up government projects to assist flood victims and suppress illegal drugs. (MCOT online news)