BANGKOK – The National Security Council (NSC) has approved the three-month extension of emergency rule in the southern border provinces, effective from 20 June 2017.
NSC Secretary-General Gen Thawip Netniyom said the agency has resolved to extend the validity of the Decree on Public Administration in Emergency in the southern border provinces scheduled to expire on 20 June 2017 by three more months.
The extension will be proposed to the cabinet for approval on 6 June.
The NSC will also consider narrowing the southern area under emergency rule, depending on the discretion of the Internal Security Operations Command’s (ISOC) units.
Eight criteria are being considered for possible revocation of emergency rule, including the number of incidents in the area, the number of perpetrator groups, the number of villages joining in the campaign, the number of people neutralised from the Bring People Home campaign, the participation of villages, preparedness of local security units and the public, the success of Pracharat projects, and the success of the Peaceful District projects.
Deputy Prime Minister/Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan expressed his care for villagers in the southern border provinces that officials are now instructed to be more strict to prevent any incident during the Ramadan month, while the investigation team is working on the bombing incident at Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok, verifying a big number of persons suspected to be involved.
