BANGKOK, May 12 (UPI) -- Bangkok is planning an amnesty order for Muslim separatists involved in attacks on army depots in southern Thailand that left 108 dead last month.
Four young men allegedly involved in the violence planned to surrender Wednesday after the government guaranteed their safety and promised lenience, the Nation newspaper in Bangkok reported.
The youths, aged 18-22, decided to surrender after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visited the southern provinces where the violence occurred, and promised lenient treatment for youngsters lured into anti-government movements.
Defence Minister Chetta Thana-jaro said the authorities expected to capture the masterminds behind the violence soon. Police said they had obtained useful information on the leaders from militants who had been captured or had surrendered.
Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisang said he would fly to the south Wednesday to meet with officials to discuss ways to discourage teenagers from joining separatist movements.
Many of those who died in the April 28 attacks on police and army depots were Muslims aged 15-20.
