Published on January 13, 2006

The Cabinet will be asked to extend the emergency decree for three more months in the three southernmost provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said yesterday.

“Although the situation in the southern region is better, assaults on innocent people and officials are continuing. The emergency laws are an effective mechanism to deal with the southern violence,” said Chidchai, who is also Justice minister.

After chairing a meeting of the National Emergency Committee, he said the panel agreed to a proposal from the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command that the crisis laws that expire next Friday be extended for the second time to April.

The proposal will be forwarded to the Cabinet for approval.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday visited Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda at his residence to exchange views on the South.

“I told General Prem that the government wishes to see him go to the region more often because his visits would be effective in helping the situation. He promised to do what was asked,” Thaksin told reporters.

Prem felt that the situation was improving, Thaksin added.

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