Emergency rule extended in South Thailand

Thailand’s government has agreed to extend emergency rule for another three months over its Muslim-majority south, where more than 3,400 people have been killed in four years of unrest.

Government spokesman Natthawut Saikua told reporters emergency rule was necessary for the policing of the region. “The cabinet has agreed to extend emergency rule in three southern provinces for another three months from October 20 to January 19 next year,” Natthawut said. “The emergency rule is still needed there to allow law enforcement officials to do their job.”