Incorporating Muslim and Malay culture into wider Thai society is the top priority for forging peace in the far South, an opinion survey sponsored by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) has found.
Cultural acceptance tops the social issues which the government should pay attention to in restoring peace in the strife-torn region, the survey reveals.
The poll surveyed 1,046 people in the southern border provinces, 40% of whom live in Narathiwat. Residents were farmers, housewives, private employees and students who were mostly Muslims.
The SBPAC commissioned Yala Islamic University to carry out the survey. The findings were released at the SBPAC administration centre in Yala yesterday.
Adul Karim Assam-ae, of the Yala Islamic University's al-Salam Institute, said the survey showed most local residents thought tackling social issues was required for returning peace to the southern border provinces.
The top priority is the integration of the Muslim and Malay cultures into the wider Thai culture.
The second most important issue is the promotion of the Malay language for compulsory learning in all schools in the far South, according to the poll.
Local residents also wanted equal access to higher education and to be treated fairly in legal cases.
They also asked the government to combat the spread of narcotics and contraband goods.
Meanwhile, a man was shot and killed by a gunman on a motorcycle in Rueso district of Narathiwat yesterday.
Mahamad Rusa Taya, 39, was riding his motorcycle to his home when he encountered two men on a motorcycle on a road in Ban Bue Joh.
The two men gave chase and the pillion rider fired a shot at him from behind. Police said he was killed on the spot.