Thirty-five youths from Thailand’s troubled southern provinces learned about the founding of the Royal Thai Marine Corps during a field trip to the Naval Museum in Sattahip.
The March 21 trip was the latest outreach effort by the military to youngsters in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. Military leaders hope it can help quell the violence that has left more than 7,000 people dead since 2004.
Thirty-five youths, both Muslim and Buddhist, from Thailand’s troubled southern provinces learn about the founding of the Royal Thai Marine Corps.
Marine Corps Rear Adm. Wethveera Srongworawith said the trip is hoped to foster positive attitudes among the youths, broaden their horizons and give them a chance to live in harmony with people of different faiths.
He added seeing a different side of the military, which has had the deep south under marital law for years, will give them a better understanding and hopefully a willingness to cooperate with the public in resolving the unrest.
