Junta chief spells out six threats

Junta chief spells out six threats.

In his capacity as director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday defined six categories of emerging threats.

Of the six categories, terrorism is the top priority, he said. Terror attacks include sabotage and subversion. The southern violence and the politically motivated arson attacks on schools are examples of domestic terrorism.

The next category of threats is the illegal border crossings by migrant workers and human traffickers. This has become a contentious issue with neighbouring countries.

Authorities will seek to regulate illegal hill tribe aliens, such as the Hmong people.

Another threat is related to unclear land and sea borders. The ISOC will push for speedy demarcation in order to pre-empt disputes over territory.

In regard to the threat from natural calamities, such as seasonal flooding and drought, the ISOC is expected to map out an integrated strategy for prevention and relief.

Social division is the other category of emerging threats and will be resolved by forging national reconciliation.

The final category of threats is poverty. The ISOC is slated to implement government policies on poverty eradication such as the land redistribution programme for landless farmers.

Sonthi said the ISOC would involve the private sector in trying to dissipate political tensions.

The Nation
Friday January 12, 2007