BANGKOK, 18 June 2013 Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung does not believe that the insurgent group in the Deep South will tone down violence during the Ramadan period as promised.
According to the deputy prime minister, he has yet to receive any report from Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanatabut, the National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General, on the third round of talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), which took place on June 13th.
DPM Chalerm also said he did not believe violence in the deep South will be toned down during the Ramadal festival given there were still groups of people who would be looking to attack soldiers and southern residents during the period. However, he remained undaunted and would continue to solve the problem in the southern border provinces for the safety of the people and the nation as a whole.
Mr. Chalerm has also told Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt to renovate roads in the Deep South, so that the insurgents will not able to plant bombs underground.
The deputy prime minister has also brushed aside the claim by the BRN insurgent group that violence in the area has been caused by soldiers, adding that Thai soldiers have been trained to protect lives, not to take them.
