Emergency Decree extended for another three months Tuesday
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The Cabinet on Tuesday approved extension of the emergency decree in the three southern border provinces for another three months.
The decree first took effect on July 19, 2005 in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala. It was renewed for three months on Oct19, and subsequently every three months.
The emergency decree will be extended from March 20 to May 19 to facilitate the operations in the areas. The extension was proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa following a resolution by last week’s meeting of security agencies.
The Cabinet decision follows a string of violent attacks on soldiers and civilians in the deep south region. On March 8, four soldiers were killed in a bombing in Narathiwat as they returned from security escort duties for Buddhist worshippers attending a candle-light procession on Makha Bucha day.
Later on the same day, two military outposts in the same province were attacked by grenade launchers and firearm. Twelve soldiers were wounded.
Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa will travel to the south on Wednesday with Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to be briefed about the latest situation, and will then give policy guidelines to local officials.
The situation will be reviewed again in three months to decide whether the emergency decree should be revoked or not in any particular districts, he added.
