Published on May 21, 2006 - A group of Thai Muslims from five southern provinces yesterday demanded that the country's most senior Muslim resign immediately as his five-year tenure had expired.

The group also said that the Chularatchamontri, Sawas Sumalayasak, had allowed the use of money from the Lottery Department in his office.

They said that lotteries were considered gambling and are therefore not permitted under Islamic law.

The group of 300, who gathered at Saiburi School in Pattani's Saiburi district, also issued a statement saying they would petition HM the King if Sawas refused to step down.

Nide Waba, chairman of a group of private schools in five southern provinces, blamed Sawas for the continued daily violence in the South. Nide said Sawas had promised that he would remain in his post for only five years but had refused to step down.

The statement also alleges that Sawas's son, Damrong, has abused his father's power for his own benefit.