Many separatists in southern Thailand surrender

This is considered the result of efforts from both the military and separatist forces.

On September 11, 100 rebels in southern Thailand led by Wae-ali Copter Waji, alias Jeh Ali, met with the Commander of the 4th Army Region in Narathiwat to declare an end to resistance against the government.

Wae-ali Copter Waji, nicknamed Jeh Ali (photo: Bangkok Post)

Jeh Ali, a member of the Patani Warriors (RKK), was wanted for organizing an attack on a military camp and stealing many weapons in 2004. He wrote a letter to the Commander of the 4th Army Region, Udomchai Thammasarorat, asking for surrender and expressing his desire to end the conflict and restore peace in the area.

According to Thai Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, the meeting was a major step forward, showing the results of efforts by both the army and the separatists. Although it is not clear whether the rebels have actually surrendered, it is considered a success.

Aziz Benhawan, chairman of the Advisory Council for the Promotion of Peace in the Southern Provinces of Thailand, also said the meeting was a positive sign for the crisis in southern Thailand.

Previously, on July 31, the Thai government approved a budget of 391 million baht, equivalent to 12.4 million USD, to subsidize and provide logistics for soldiers stationed in the far south. At the same time, a special operations center to coordinate efforts to bring peace to Thailand's far south was also established.

According to statistics, more than 5,000 people have been killed and more than 8,400 injured since 2004 in more than 10,000 violent attacks by separatists in the far south of Thailand. It is estimated that there are about 8,000-10,000 separatists in this area./.

According to VietnamPlus - DT