BANGKOK, 27 April 2012 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will visit the South this Sunday, the day after the 8th anniversary of the Krue Se massacre.
Deputy Prime Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapa said this April 28th will be the 8th anniversary of the bloody Krue Se incident in Pattani province. The national intelligence office has been gathering reports of insurgents’ movements to prevent violence on the day.
Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit will visit the South on Saturday, while the Prime Minister will go to the region on Sunday morning to boost morale of the residents and military officers. General Yutthasak did nit believe that violence will occur as many related agencies have been working together to ensure peace.
On April 28th, 2004, Islamic militants launched a number of pre-dawn attacks against the government and barricaded themselves inside the Krue Se Mosque. All 32 militants inside the mosque were later killed by the army. The shootings outraged many local Muslims, and the army was later criticized by human rights groups for using excessive force.
As for reports that some youths have learned terrorist weapon tactics from the Middle East, General Yutthasak said authorities are tracking the history of this group of young people and trying to change their ideology. He saw that the southern problem stems from differences in perspectives which can be compromised if related parties are given the right information.
