Queen frets over South
Likens drug dealers to murderers of children
Her Majesty the Queen yesterday deplored the escalation of violence in the deep South and denounced attacks on monks as an infringement of religious freedom.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, on behalf of her cabinet, dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and the public, delivers a speech during an audience with the Queen. Ms Yingluck expressed gratitude for Her Majesty’s hard work and dedication to the public and wished her a happy birthday. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD BUREAUShe said that she was "shocked and saddened" by the acts of violence that had spread to monks who never cause problems for society, in addition to state authorities and civilians.
Her Majesty said the kingdom is well known for its religious tolerance since the reign of King Mongkut who was generous and open to the teachings of other faiths.
She said Bangkok was voted the best city by an international travel magazine in part due to its religious tolerance in which people of various religions and faiths co-exist and are allowed to practice their faiths freely.
"I do not believe it is the work of Thai Muslims, who are kind and generous," she said. "Preventing people from giving alms to monks is a transgression of the freedom to practice their religious faith."
She said His Majesty the King always gave equal support to every religion when he travelled to the region and she had done the same.
"I believe you all are saddened and wish it to end," she said. "I'd like to ask for your cooperation in finding ways to return peace and happiness to the southern land."
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Her Majesty also urged collective efforts by the government and the public to fight drug abuse which she said was "spreading more than quickly than germs".
She said His Majesty had made great efforts in urging hilltribe people to switch from growing opium to other crops. The country, however, is being used as a drug trafficking corridor and for production as well.
She condemned those involved in the illicit business as cold-blooded murderers.
"I feel unsettled hearing that drugs are rampant and available in every nook and corner and in schools," she said. "They are acting like murderers, killing their own children in cold blood."
Her Majesty said she had donated her private funds to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to support anti-drug activities.
The ONCB used the money to start the Mother of the Land fund, which has been dispersed to 12,189 villages to help keep their communities free of drugs. The Abhisit administration injected an additional 300 million baht into the fund, proceeds of which were given to provincial governors to spend on drug abuse prevention efforts. Her Majesty said she hoped the new government would continue the project.
At the beginning of the speech, Her Majesty discussed His Majesty the King's health, saying the monarch was feeling more comfortable. He has been advised to continue receiving physical therapy to strengthen his muscles.
She said that HM the King was able to work more and was concerned with flooding in the North and Northeast.
Her Majesty said she also shared in the nation's grief over the death of HRH Princess Bejraratana Rajasuda and the tragic helicopter crashes that killed 17 men. She reminded the public that their deaths were not in vain because they died during an operation to protect the forests.
Her Majesty also discussed HM the King's efforts to improve the well-being of people across the country through royal projects and royally initiated schemes. The royal projects, which have been in existence for 42 years, were widely recognised by the international community as models of development projects.
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