Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said yesterday that a greater focus on religion would be the main key to solving problems in the South, as more troops were deployed in the area.
"In the past we paid more attention to groups such as influential people and drug addicts, but from now on we will focus on more understanding of religious concerns to solve the problems," he said.
The deputy premier yesterday chaired a committee meeting on the restoration of peace in the South.
Chavalit said he could not say whether the situation in the southern provinces had returned to normal. "The security authorities concerned will remain on high alert to provide security for the people. Some groups are still plotting to create chaos in the country," he said.
Yesterday, hundreds of heavily armed troops arrived in troubled region amid reports that Islamic militants would take revenge for their comrades killed during the bloody clashes of April 28.
Meanwhile, a source who attended yesterday's meeting said the objective of the militants was separatism under the guise of Islam. The mastermind was distorting Islamic beliefs to encourage his followers to fight without fear, he said
"The militants are prepared to die as they believe they are fighting for Islam. Therefore the meeting agreed that the authorities should use all efforts to ensure people have a better understanding of Islam," the source said.
It was also agreed at the meeting that religious leaders should play an important role in solving the problems.
Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said that the office of the prime minster's secretariat had asked concerned agencies to speed up the drafting of projects to create employment in the South.
Thaksin has said the key to solving southern problems is to alleviate poverty.