BANGKOK, June 19 – Thailand’s army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha is visiting the restive southern province of Pattani today to inspect security operations in the insurgency-torn region. He urged local residents not to travel at night if not necessary.
Together with the prime minister’s advisor Gen Yuthasak Sasiprapa, the army chief departed Bangkok this morning.
Gen Prayuth said he has been assigned by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to follow up the government operations responding to violence in the deep South and to listen to the needs of local officials to help facilitate their work.
“Protecting people’s lives and their assets is important as is creating better understanding with local residents”, said Gen Prayuth.
He urged the populace to help monitor any irregularities and to avoid travelling at night if not necessary as the attacks usually occur then.
As the Thai government demanded the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) to stop attacks during the holy month on Ramadan, the army chief commented that the government still must wait and see whether the militant groups will respond to the demand or not.
If the demand is not met, we must resume the peace dialogue again, said the army chief.
