A group of young people in
the southern border provinces and members of organizations serving children and
youth have gathered to make their voices heard for peace in the deep South.
The gathering took place in
Yala province, where a declaration was announced that youth would be not only a
target group but also a social partner, working side by side with adults to
bring about lasting peace and sustainable development.
The event, entitled
“Festival of the Cream of Southern Youth,” was organized on 18 January 2014 by
the Children and Youth Association for Peace in the Southern Border Provinces,
locally known as Luk Riang. The objectives were to publicize activities and
projects carried out by children’s and youth-related organizations and to
present proposals for local child and youth development.
After the establishment of
this association 10 years ago, more and more young people have joined the
association in initiating many activities that have benefited themselves and
the local community.
The President of the
Children and Youth Association for Peace in the Southern Border Provinces, Miss
Wannakanok Pohitaedaoh, said that, over the past 10 years, the three southern
border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat have suffered a great loss of
life and property from violence. The situation resulted in 4,942 orphans. A
total of 62 children aged below 15 died and 387 were injured. In 2013 alone, 40
children were injured. The conflicts have brought sadness and despair to many
young people.
Meanwhile, the Southern
Border Provinces Administrative Center is preparing to establish a youth
symphonic band, comprising the young generation in the five southern border
provinces, which include Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun, and Songkhla. Police
Colonel Tawee Sodsong, Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces
Administrative Center, said that project is meant to encourage young people to
play music and use it as a medium to create better understanding for peace and
happiness in their community. It will also encourage them to spend time
fruitfully together.
Earlier, in 2006, the Yala
City Municipality Youth Orchestra was founded by Mr. Pongsak Yingchoncharoen,
Mayor of the Yala City Municipality, who wished to use music as an instrument
of peace to bring young people of different faiths in southern Thailand closer
and give them a chance to spend time together in positive ways. The orchestra
has become better known and is gaining greater recognition.
The moral value of playing
music together also prevents children and youth from being misled and spending
time in unproductive, potentially harmful ways. A number of participating youth
have been affected by the southern violence, and the sound of music also helps
heal the wounds in their hearts.
Music is believed to be
another effective means to help promote social harmonization and lasting peace
through the cultural dimension.
(thailand.prd.go.th)