BANGKOK, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Tuesday he is very concerned about the escalating violence in southern Thailand.
Malaysia has offered the Thai government its assistance to control the situation and prevent further clashes, Badawi said, according to The Star.
The Prime Minister said he had instructed his foreign minister to gather more information about the situation in southern Thailand, where police clashed with 2,000 demonstrators Monday. More than 80 people have died as a result of the incident, news reports indicated.
"If there is anything we can do to help, we will," Badawi told reporters. "If not, we wish that the Thai government will be able to handle the crisis so that it will not spread and create further violence.
"We want the Thai government to take very firm action." he told reporters.
