Bangkok: Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul has underscored the importance of respecting the cultural way of life in Thailand's southern provinces while ensuring strict enforcement of the law. He emphasized the need for a coordinated crackdown on weapons and drugs in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister's remarks followed discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Imrahim about resolving issues in the three southern border provinces of Thailand. Anutin highlighted the necessity of negotiations and rigorous law enforcement in tackling the challenges faced by these regions.
In an interview, Anutin stated that he had instructed security agencies to integrate efforts from all sectors to address the problems in the south. He reiterated the importance of respecting the cultural practices and way of life of the local population while ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to prevent the entry of undesirable elements such as drugs, illegal weapons, and human trafficking into these sensitive areas.
Anutin mentioned that there is a committee in place to facilitate discussions with various groups in the southern border provinces. He clarified that these discussions should be carried out exclusively among the designated working groups to achieve effective solutions.