Thaksin unfazed by bombings, sees hope in the Deep South
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his lack of concern over recent bombings in the Deep South during his visit to the area, noting that past assassination attempts have failed to intimidate him.
This comment followed bombings in Yala province on Saturday, February 22, and at Narathiwat Airport yesterday morning, where his plane was scheduled to land.
In regards to the Narathiwat Airport bombing, Thaksin stated that he remains fearless.
“Someone might want to frighten me but my heart is strong. I felt indifferent to four previous assassination attempts. Regardless of any kind of reception, I can take it all.”
Thaksin described the bombing as symbolic. He observed that the people in the southern border provinces were noticeably more welcoming during his current visit than the tense reception he experienced at private schools in the region two decades ago.
Thaksin interpreted the current attitude of locals as a positive indicator for resolving issues in the southern border provinces. The former premier mentioned that international cooperation, particularly with Indonesia, was expected to increase to address the problems in southern Thailand.
The 75 year old former PM also spoke about plans for more international collaboration to tackle individuals with dual citizenship who cross borders to carry out attacks. He mentioned negotiations aimed at persuading wrongdoers to return to Thailand and contribute to national development, reported Bangkok Post.
During the same occasion, Thaksin apologised for the losses during the Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat in 2004, which occurred during his tenure as PM.
He acknowledged the mistakes made in work procedures, expressed his concern for the people, and highlighted the importance of forgiveness, particularly in the Muslim community.
In related news, explosions erupted this morning in Thailand’s southern border provinces of Yala and Narathiwat ahead of the visit by Thaksin.
In Yala province, a civilian lost his life and seven police officers sustained injuries following a bomb explosion in front of a supermarket in Bannang Sata district last night.
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