Thailand's prime minister promised yesterday to restore a historic mosque damaged when police stormed it, killing 32 suspected Islamic insurgents hiding inside.
About 1,000 villagers came to see Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he visited the 16th century Krue-sae Mosque, partially destroyed on April 28 by Thai soldiers firing automatic weapons, tear gas and grenades.
The mosque was the scene of the worst fighting between Thai security forces and alleged Islamic militants in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Songkhla. In total, 107 alleged Islamic separatists were killed in clashes with police and army troops, five of whom also died.
Thaksin said he would order the Fine Arts Department to look into the mosque restoration and repair walls that were brought down or damaged. ``Then we will develop the place into a tourist spot,'' said Thaksin.
The mosque attack has outraged many Muslims in Thailand and elsewhere. Ambassadors and diplomats from at least 12 Muslim countries are currently in Pattani to assess the situation. Thaksin was scheduled to meet with them yesterday before wrapping up his three-day visit to the south.
Thaksin met with local religious and government leaders at the mosque before talking with some worshippers. ``How many kids do you have?'' Thaksin asked one woman. ``Don't have too many kids. Everywhere I go here, there are too many children.''
Meanwhile, an explosion occurred early Saturday in the compound of a quarry in southern Yala province, from where a large amount of fertilizers and explosives were stolen last month.
There were no injuries in the blast, which left a 2-meter-deep hole in the road, police Lt. Col. Somsak Wangsupha said.
Earlier, in his weekly radio address, Thaksin tried to reassure listeners. "The situation in the south isn't as bad as it looks. The locals have adjusted to it. Please be confident that this place isn't dangerous as believed,'' Thaksin said.
``We need to fix the problem and create jobs for them. I will use compassion to melt all the aggression and violence,'' he said.
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