Bangkok: Angkana Neelapaijit has expressed her concerns regarding recent incidents of violence in Thailand’s southern border provinces, suggesting that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have misinterpreted the reception he received during his visit to the area. She cautioned that the memory of past conflicts remains vivid and urged Thaksin to address these issues transparently to dispel any lingering doubts.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Angkana highlighted how violent outbreaks have coincided with the month of Ramadan, despite prior years of relative peace. She noted that recent attacks targeted Defense Volunteers, who are civilians rather than military personnel, indicating a troubling shift in the nature of the conflict. Angkana pointed out that the insurgent groups view anyone aligned with the state as adversaries, irrespective of religious affiliations. She also recalled Thaksin’s previous apology for the Tak Bai incident and criticized the lack of progress in the related court case, emphasizing the need for accountability and truth to achieve closure.
Thaksin’s informal advisory role to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has drawn scrutiny, with Angkana arguing that Malaysia’s involvement is limited to facilitating discussions rather than taking direct action. She emphasized the importance of engaging with local officials who understand the situation on the ground, rather than relying solely on talks at the national level. Angkana criticized the Thai government’s focus on engaging with government supporters rather than addressing differing opinions, which she believes has exacerbated the issue. She also questioned the effectiveness of intelligence operations, pointing out the need for better communication with local communities to foster understanding.
Furthermore, Angkana expressed concerns about the composition of negotiation teams, which often include high-ranking military officers perceived as being part of the conflict. She stressed the necessity for equal representation and trust-building in negotiations, suggesting that individuals trusted by both parties should be included. Angkana supported Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Vejjayachai’s remarks on the need for appropriate representation in dialogues, advocating for armed representatives if necessary to ensure safety and productive discussions.
Angkana also called for the establishment of an advisory council following the parliament’s decision to rescind the NCPO’s order, advocating for a political approach to lead military actions. She criticized the previous reliance on military-led tactics to suppress dissenting opinions, which she believes failed to address the root causes of the conflict. Angkana urged for direct and honest communication to resolve the ongoing issues effectively.
