Haji Da-oh Thanam is expected to be freed in August
The Southern Border Provincial Police Operations Centre is mulling granting a jailed former separatist leader with a suspension of punishment which will allow him conditional release from prison.
The move to give conditional release to Da-oh Maseng or Haji Da-oh Thanam, a former key member of the Pattani United Liberation Organistion (PULO), became evident on July 27 when Pol Lt-Gen Anurut Karaked, commissioner of the Southern Border Provincial Police Operations Centre, paid an unannounced visit on Da-oh Maseng at Pattani provincial prison.
Pol Lt-Gen Anurut informed the former separatist chieftain of the planned suspension of punishment for his good conduct during the past 18 years in prison. Da-oh was reported to have told Anurut that he would spend his life in Panareh district of Pattani and would help out in development work in the district and would contribute to bring about peace.
The SBPPOC commissioner said he expected Da-oh could be set free in August although the exact date is yet to be determined.
The Deep South has missed out a lot of lost opportunities for the past 11 years and it is about time for all parties to join hands to bring about peace by whatever means, he said.
Da-oh was arrested in 1998 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Earlier on July 17 which coincided with the Hari Raya day, another former PULO chieftain, Haji Sama-ae Thanam was set free under the suspension of punishment programme after having served 18 years behind bars.