Campaign against Violence in the Deep South of Thailand

In an effort to stop violence in the southern border provinces of Thailand, people in Narathiwat province have called on local residents to join hands with officials in tackling unrest in the deep South.

A group of more than 1,000 people, comprising officials, religious leaders, and people from all walks of life in 13 districts of Narathiwat, joined a rally on 9 March 2013 in a campaign against violence. They walked, with national flags and anti-violence banners, from the area in front of the Narathiwat Provincial Employment Office to the area in front of the Office of the Islamic Council of Narathiwat Province in Mueang district.

The campaign was part of the activity “Joining Forces in Restoring Peace in the Southern Border Provinces and Stopping Violence.” It was intended to make known that the acts of violence are against morality and the principles of all religions. Violence leads to fear among the people and threatens national security and public safety. The campaign was, therefore, to denounce the acts of violence and call for peaceful means under the democratic system with His Majesty the King as Head of State.

On this occasion, local residents were provided with an opportunity to express their opinions on ways to stop violence and offer suggestions on the operations of the authorities in order to improve the situation. They were also asked to urge misled persons to surrender under Section 21 of the Internal Security Act. Under Section 21, militants involved with the southern unrest will be granted an amnesty and freed from criminal charges, if they are categorized as “misled persons” and agree to undergo re-education, which will take no more than six months.