BRUSSELS, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Without addressing the root causes of Thailand's southern conflict, security could deteriorate, according to a report from the International Crisis Group.
The report, released Thursday by the independent non-governmental organization, says that while the violence has subsided in the south of Thailand, without an engaged governmental policy in the region, destabilizing foreign militants might increase their activities, the Crisis Group reported.
The report, titled "Thailand: Political Turmoil and the Southern Insurgency," calls on the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to refrain from leaving the military in charge of security and governing in the south. Officials say Sundaravej risks a deterioration of stability and the possibility of an escalation by insurgent forces.
Crisis Group officials say by investing in education and justice reforms, along with allowing for moderate self-rule in the region, a brewing conflict that resulted in up to 20,000 people demonstrating in the streets Tuesday could be avoided in the future.
"The government needs to take back control of southern policy," John Virgoe, Crisis Group South East Asia project director, said in a statement.
"Otherwise, there will be no solution, and the conflict may deteriorate further."
