Published on January 7, 2024, at 4:11
Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak, the commander of the Fifth Army Region, denied on Saturday that the army had filed a lawsuit against young people in Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat for wearing standard Malay clothing while participating in events held at the fair to advance Maly culture.
According to Lt. Gen. Santi of the Bangkok Post, those who are facing courtroom call were actually engaged in activities intended to encourage independence and prominently display the image of Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu- Patani ( BRN ) separatist motion.
A standard Asian mask contest had already been held at a previous fair, and no one objected, he further urged those who were trying to spread false information about these youths.
That demonstrates, he said, how much Thai authorities encourage rural residents in the far South to happily express their social identities and roots.
According to Lt. Gen. Pramote Promin, the 4th Region Army’s official, some organizations have taken advantage of the Asian lifestyle good for their own gain.
Some decorated the good with BRN colors and chanted” Patani Merdeka” calling for an “independent Patani,” while some had added a poem-reading activity where lyrics promoting secession were read.
Officials have also been caught up in the fair, and some were criticized last year for attending because it was purportedly associated with the secessionist movement.
Fair Party list member and House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha insisted on his Twitter on Saturday that there were no BRN banners waved at the fair next year, which he and others had attended. Kannavee Suebsang, who is familiar with several young people facing court indictments, is on the list.
Mr. Kannavee claims that the majority of those who were subject to court summonses for the alleged sedition at the southern reasonable were good organizers.
They had a conversation with the 4th Region Army and decided that they would abide by the law to the letter. They kept their word, he said.
According to Mr. Kannavee,” Many people still do n’t understand why the 4th Region Army chief later filed a complaint against them.”
Mr. Kannavee said he suspected it was from previous cultural activities held in 2022 and 2023 because it was n’t explicitly stated in the court summons as to when the alleged misconduct occurred.
Kannavee: The last fair did n’t have any BRN flags.