Chavalit gripes about Pattani plan rejection

Chavalit gripes about Pattani plan rejection

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has expressed disappointment with the government for not putting his proposed Pattani Metropolis idea into practice.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark his 81st birthday yesterday, Gen Chavalit said the proposal centred on giving local people a degree of autonomy, which if implemented, would have helped the situation in the far South.

Public hearings for people wanting some form of self-rule must be conducted, he said.

The ex-premier indicated it was a pity his idea had been turned down, and that people are not happy with that.

Gen Chavalit also called on the authorities to review their work in the deep South by attaching more importance to night patrols as insurgent attacks are often carried out at that time.

He supported the ongoing peace talks in Malaysia with the militant Barisan Revolusi Nasional group, but urged the government to be mindful of the group's objectives.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday chaired the Committee to Mobilise Policy and Strategy to Solve Problems in the Southern Border Provinces.

The education permanent secretary told the panel that the agency will provide classes where Buddhist and Muslim students can study together, National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said after the meeting.

The government will also sponsor both private and state schools which were damaged by insurgent attacks in the deep South, he said.

Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha reported to the panel that security measures had been stepped up in light of the new school term, which started this week, Lt Gen Paradorn said.

The army was also coordinating with teachers' federations in the area, he added.

Responding to a plan to revoke arrest warrants for some suspected insurgents in the deep South, Lt Gen Paradorn said dozens of suspects have shown a willingness to turn themselves in to the authorities.

More suspects are expected to surrender, he added.

PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan said the meeting also touched on education and job creation in the far South.

Each southernmost province will be tasked with carrying out the improvements by gathering information from its districts and tambons.

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