The state of emergency in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat is to be extended for another three months, from December 20th, for security reasons.
The Emergency Situation Administration Committee (ESAC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, decided today (Monday) to extend the decree on the grounds that the insurgents still have the capability to threaten security in the three provinces and there are signs that they may resort to violence.
The state of emergency is enforceable across the three provinces, except in Mae Larn and Mai Kaen districts of Pattani, Betong district of Yala and Su-ngai Kolok, Sukhirin and Si Sakhon districts of Narathiwat.
The ESAC also acknowledged the plan, by the 4th Region Internal Security Operations Command, to exempt further areas covered by state of emergency, to accommodate economic development projects in the region.
At the meeting today, the committee also urged the Office of the Attorney-General and the Royal Thai Police to speed up the establishment of a regional office, to handle security-related cases to ensure fair and speedy legal proceedings.
