Article 120

Sirichai promises no disruption to `way of life'

The new chief of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command (SBPPBC) says he will do his best not to disrupt people's way of life in his efforts to restore peace and order to the region.

Gen Sirichai Tunyasiri, who was given full authority to implement strategies to end southern unrest, said people's way of life should be taken into consideration when tackling the problem or the security forces would create even more trouble.

Under his supervision, the peace-building command will operate round the clock, said Gen Sirichai. He will be based in the South from Oct 12 onwards.

Gen Sirichai, also deputy supreme commander, said he had not discussed a proposed ban on motorcycle pillion riders with Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, but it was unlikely new restrictions would be imposed under martial law as existing ones were sufficient.

He has set as a priority ending the almost daily shootings by motorbike gunmen to restore a sense of security to local communities. He had ``special measures'' in mind but declined to discuss them.

Asked about a statement by the Chularatchamontri, Sawasdi Sukumalayasak, that oil smugglers were behind much of the unrest, the new SBPPBC director said this was one of the reasons.

``There are a number of factors at work ... the challenge is how to put them into perspective and find solutions,'' he said.

Gen Sirichai said he had been entrusted with the authority to make decisions and he would see to it they were made and that all agencies acted in unison.

The general said he had taken the job with a heavy heart but intended to produce results. The peace-building command's performance would be evaluated after a certain period and he would ask outsiders to make the assessment.