WASSANA NANUAM

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has asked the spiritual leader of Thai Muslims to help bring about understanding among southern Muslims to end violence in the South.

The Crown Prince will today visit Chiang Mai to preside over the royally-sponsored cremation of the late Pattani provincial court judge, Rapin Ruankaew, shot dead by southern militants last week.

Chularatchamontri Sawasdi Sukmalayasak said after greeting the Crown Prince in Pattani on Tuesday that he had been asked to seek southern Muslims' cooperation to solve problems in the South.

The Crown Prince met about 1,000 southern Muslims and presented awards to this year's Koran reading contest winners, Wangmuseng Saensahed and Kawa Mahamad, at Pattani's central mosque.

He wished the 90-year-old good health and the strength to continue helping tackle the problems, adding that he wanted to continue meeting him for consultations at his convenience.

During the award ceremony, the Chularatchamontri said the Royal Family was in the hearts of all southern Thai Muslims because its members have worked to help Thais of all religions.

The Muslim leader said His Majesty the King has supported all regions and initiated more than 4,000 projects to help people, while Her Majesty the Queen had promoted occupational-training for villagers.

He said the Crown Prince often visited Thai Muslims in the South while HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was a revered teacher and HRH Princess Chulabhorn a renowned scientist.

''I can provide reassurances that all southern Thai Muslims love Thailand and the monarchy,'' the Chularatchamontri told the Crown Prince during the ceremony.