A police committee has decided to allow female Muslim officers to wear <i>hijab</i> as part of their uniforms, Pol Gen Jate Mongkolhatthi, adviser to the Royal Thai Police, said Thursday.
He was speaking after chairing a committee reviewing regulations relating to uniforms worn by female Muslim police officers.
Pol Gen Jate said the meeting considered the request by the Islamic Council of Pattani that Muslim policewomen be allowed to wear religious headscarves.
He said the committee agreed to allow Muslim policewomen nationwide to wear khaki hijab as part of their khaki police uniforms, with long-sleeved shirts or blouses, and trousers that cover their ankles.
They will be allowed to wear hijab while they conduct duties involving public relations and visiting people since wearing the headscarves do not obstruct such tasks, Pol Gen Jate said.
He said there are about 100 Muslim policewomen nationwide. Of them, 60 had joined the request for permission to wear the headscarves while on duty.
He said the committee will forward the matter to national police chief Adul Saengsingkhaew for approval.