By Xinhua,
Bangkok : The Cabinet of Thailand on Tuesday agreed to extend an emergency decree in the three southernmost provinces plagued by violence for three more months.
Speaking to journalists after the Cabinet meeting, Nattawut Saikua, deputy government spokesman, said the cabinet decided to extend the decree in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces because of the ongoing unrest.
The emergency decree is due to expire on Sunday.
The emergency decree was first implemented in July 2005. It has been renewed every three months since then.
The decree gives the security forces sweeping powers of arresting and detention in the three provinces.
Thailand’s three southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala are violence-plagued. More than 3,000 people have been killed in violence since early 2004.