DemocratPPP competition to solve southern insurgency

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to lead a major rally in Songkhla on Wednesday evening to introduce election candidates and campaign platforms for southern constituents.

In drumming up support ahead of the rally, Abhisit is on the campaign trial in Songkhla and Pattani.

A key policy for the South is the pledge to form a permanent agency to tackle insurgency and restore normalcy in the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

The Democrats are expected to install the necessary mechanisms to have the new agency running within 99 days of assuming office.

The Democrats approach is designed to resolve insurgencyrelated problems at the scene rather than make every decision in Bangkok.

PPP deputy leader Rueangroj Mahasaranont on Wednesday unveiled his party's plan to address the insurgency as a national agenda.

"The situation in the three southernmost provinces should be resolved in every social dimension," he said.

Rueangroj said that in his capacity as former supreme commander, two former Fourth Army Region commanders, General Kwanchart Klahan and General Udomchai Ongkhasing, and a civilian Charupong Ruangsuwan would sit on the party's security panel in charge of tackling the insurgency.

Many see the panel composition as hinting at a hardline approach.

The Nation