Surayud visited the Muslim-majority south which has seen three years of violence [AFP]

"At the policy level, I have no objection," Surayud Chulanont, the prime minister, said during a visit to the Muslim-majority south on Friday.
 
"I want the issue to be clearly discussed at the local level and accepted by all parties concerned. The government is ready to enact the [amnesty] law in the future."

But Surayud also told reporters that he was supportive of Buddhists who had taken up arms to protect their families.
 
Buddhist civilians have been the main targets during three years of violence in Thailand's southernmost provinces - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - which has left more than 2,000 people dead.

Arming civilians
 
Two Buddhist women were killed in a drive-by shooting late on Thursday, while riding a motorcycle in Narathiwat, police said. A school was also set on fire in the province.

But the increasing number of firearms and growing mistrust between Muslim and Buddhist communities has raised concerns of retaliatory attacks.

"Buddhists are taking up arms for self-defence," Surayud said. "The government is happy to support them for such a purpose."

Surayud and General Seriphisut Temiyawej, the national police chief, visited the region to look at the problems faced by police working in the area, a government spokesman said.

While soldiers are regularly rotated through the area, police are expected to take permanent postings. People considered to be government representatives - such as teachers, soldiers and police - are frequently targets for the violence.

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