BANGKOK, Sept 20 – A new group of insurgents in Thailand’s deep South will surrender to the authorities, and more will follow if they are assured of fair treatment, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa reasserted today.
He said a military report has hinted at a prospective surrender but he said he would rather not disclose the details after a warning from the opposition that state officials should limit their opinions on the sensitive issue.
A group of southern insurgents recently reported to the authorities in Narathiwat–one of the three southern provinces plagued by attacks and violence. Three of the defectors were found to have outstanding criminal charges, while those without a record of criminal offences will be dealt with leniently under the Internal Security Act.
Gen Yuthasak has said several times after the first defection that more insurgents will turn themselves in to the government.
He said the defectors wanted to be assured that they would be treated with fairness in accord with the law.
The deputy premier said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will soon sign an order setting up the Operation Centre for Committee on Policy and Strategy in Solving Southern Problems.
The new centre will replace the Operation Centre on Solutions to Problems in Southern Provinces, earlier established by the premier and co-led by three deputy premiers—Yuthasak, Chalerm Yubamrung and Yongyuth Wichaidit.
Former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, in a meeting with his successor last week, said the assignment of three deputy premiers to be in charge of an operation centre has caused confusion among state officials and the operation centre duplicated the existing Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre.
Gen Yuthasak said the latest operation centre to be set up by Ms Yingluck in the next few days is not merely a name change. He did not explain the difference.
