The Internal Security Operations Command says violence in the southern border provinces declined significantly in the past six months as the government stepped up projects to aid the region’s population.
Col Pramote Prom-in, spokesman of the Isoc's Region 4 Forward Command, said on Thursday that from Oct 23 through April 22 there were 305 violent incidents in southern border provinces and down 61.6% year-on-year.
In the incidents, 339 people were either killed or injured, which marked a 47.4% decline over 2014.
Government forces have been able to work and enforce the law across the region and government agencies have stepped up work to resolve southern problems, Col Pramote said.
He said authorities arrested nine people during the past half-year for launching serious violent attacks and the insurgency movement has been trying to organise more attacks to discredit the government.
"There are still attempts to create violent incidents with ambushes, bombings and disturbances. Local accomplices and networks continue to distort information, take symbolic action and make claims about human-rights violations and injustice to discredit the government," the spokesman said.
Authorities were emphasizing projects to win support from locals, especially youths, Col Pramote said.
They include 1,200 development projects worth 1.7 billion baht for villages, public relations campaigns to create confidence in the government, and defence training for local residents.
Col Pramote said that the government planned to build 37 roads spanning 164.8 kilometres to increase travel convenience in the far South. Soldiers have completed seven of the roads and the construction of 16 others is underway.
Soldiers were also constructing new buildings at six schools recently torched in Pattani province, he said.
