Developments in southern border provinces of Thailand

The information below is based on the 2009 report of the Secretary General to the Security Council (A/63/785-S/2009/158) issued on 26 March 2009. More information is available in the report.

There has been significant improvement in the security situation in the southern border provinces of Thailand owing to the continuing efforts of the Royal Thai Government to protect the safety and enhance the development of children in cooperation with the local communities. However, the impact of violence on children is still a concern. There have been several reports of child casualties as a result of bombings by militants in public spaces and of being caught in the crossfire between militants and security forces.

The number of attacks on schools has decreased significantly. According to the Ministry of Education, during the reporting period from September 2007 to December 2008, 34 State-run education facilities were damaged or destroyed (compared to 164 for the whole of 2007), 7 schoolchildren were killed and 30 were injured.

The current Government has announced that it will take serious measures to ensure that security operations conducted in the southern border provinces are in accordance with international standards and respect for human rights, and that any alleged abuse by state authorities, such as the irregular detention of children, is fully investigated. The Government is also undertaking a systematic review of its laws, including the Emergency Decree.