If “misguided” people who have been charged with offences under the Criminal Code or the Emergency Decree surrender, authorities will treat them fairly and assist in resolving their cases, Pirawat said, adding that warrants could be revoked if accused persons can prove their innocence.

He said the “bringing people home” – referring to “misguided” suspects – project had enrolled 3,993 participants, many of whom had been exonerated. The project has also led to the establishment of clubs for returned people in 37 districts in the South and about 700 affected people have received vocational training.

Pirawat declined to confirm a rumour that Masae U-seng, a key figure in the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgent organisation, might not be dead as has been previously reported. He said he did not have clear information about Masae’s status.

A source in national-security circles said officials were hesitant to confirm whether Masae was dead because of the lack of information, and authorities believed that a statement could affect power struggles within the BRN.