BANGKOK, 23 April 2013 The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has assured that only one-fifth of violent attacks in the Deep South were at the hands of insurgent groups.
Deputy Army Chief General Dapong Rattanasuwan said on Monday that there are 3 key original factors believed to have caused years-long problems in the southern border region, including the lack of public trust in authorities, the resentment of those facing arrest warrants as a result of the enforcement of Emergency Decree, and local personal as well as political conflicts.
General Dapong stated that, according to official records, less than 20 percent of all violent incidents were caused by insurgents with the rest involving simple criminal acts.
The Deputy Army Chief also conceded that security officers and authorities might have made some mistakes while carrying out their duties in the conflict-ridden region while assuring that such rogue officers have been facing formal investigations and disciplinary actions.
He added that all security agencies active in the far South are determined to work under the government directives to protect lives and properties of locals without making it hard for residents to continue their daily routines, and to make sure that people of different beliefs will be able to live harmoniously like in the old days.
