Privy Council head Prem Tinsulanonda opened this year’s “Connecting Thai Hearts to the South” program in Chonburi, which will see 20 southern youths experience Muslim life outside of Thailand’s three strife-ridden provinces.
The retired general and former prime minister presided over the April 23 ceremony sponsored by the Rakmuangthai Foundation, Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, government ministries, Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, Thai Bankers’ Association, and Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations.
Twenty youths will experience Muslim life outside of Southern Thailand’s three strife-ridden provinces during this year’s “Connecting Thai Hearts to the South” program in Chonburi.
This year youths stay with host families in Chonburi, study and take field trips.
The program was begun by military leaders two decades ago to influence youths attending Islamic schools in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces to embrace Buddhist principles and teachings of HM the King in the name of expanding their cultural understanding.
Officials claim it gives southern youths a chance to see the lifestyles and living conditions of Muslims living peacefully in other areas of the country. In Chonburi, 344 youths have stayed with 171 host families since the program began.
A Muslim insurgency opposed to Thailand’s Buddhist rule over the three provinces has raged for decades. Since violence began in 2004, more than 7,000 residents and military personnel have been killed.
