Govt to speak to M'sia over South

The government will consult with Malaysia about lifting the emergency decree in five districts in the deep South as part of a "step-by-step" process, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said Tuesday.

"The situation in these five districts has improved," he said.

However, Thai officials need to talk with their Malaysian counterparts to seek a solution before proceeding with relaxing measures in the area, he said after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting in lieu of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is away on an overseas trip.

Thai authorities are considering replacing the decree with the less draconian Internal Security Act in Pattani's Kapho district, Yala's Betong and Kabang districts and Narathiwat's Waeng and Sukhirin districts.

The Nation