BANGKOK, 19 September 2013 Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan has asserted that he has been informed of the figures behind the prolonged rubber farmers’ protest in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Mr. Jarupong told reporters on Wednesday that officials have so far implemented the ‘softest’ methods in dealing with the demonstrators in Khuan Nong Hong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and the 12-hour extension to the disaster prevention and mitigation law enforcement at the protest area is considered an attempt to facilitate convenience to the public and prevent attempts by ill-intended groups to escalate the situation.
According to Mr. Jarupong, the government is aware of those pulling strings behind the protest and the distribution of the psychoactive krathom leaves to teens in the area, who then cause disturbances at the protest. He disclosed that district chief officers have been ordered to inspect the alleged distribution of the leaves being carried out at schools.
