BANGKOK, 22 June 2015 – Deputy Defence Minister Gen Udomdej Sitabutr, also Commander-in-chief of the Thai Army, reiterated in the “Thailand Moves Forward” TV program that the government intends to support all islamic activities during Ramadan, expecting to make the holy month the begining of sustainable peace in the southern border provinces of Thailand.
In his televised speech, he said the government has set up a committee to work on the peace building under the king’s strategy of “Understand, Reach out and Develop”. The main objective is to reduce violence rate, to improve quality of life in the environment of multicultural society.
Series of successes in the government policies, he believed, would enable peace to happen in the region but more extensive local cooperations ramains needed.
Speaking consistently with the Army chief, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) Panu Uthairat claimed the deep-rooted violence has reduced considerably during the administration of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
During Ramadan, the SBPAC has not only facilitated religious activities of Thai Muslims but also launched numerous projects aimed at raising their safety and relieving them of hardship. Moreover, the SBPAC also takes part in facilitating Hajj pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia every year.
