Bangkok: Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, convened a critical meeting with governors and district chiefs to address the ongoing unrest in Thailand’s southern border provinces. The meeting, held at the Ratchasi Conference Room and attended by senior Ministry of Interior officials, aimed to enhance intelligence, maintain security, and boost morale among both workers and the public.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting involved provincial governors and district chiefs from Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla, and Satun, emphasizing the need to urgently upgrade the skills of the Southern Border Provinces Volunteers (SBPPs) and implement strategic measures to address the situation. Mr. Anutin expressed his gratitude for His Majesty the King’s support for those affected by recent bombings in Narathiwat and Pattani.
Mr. Anutin described the March 8, 2015 attacks as audacious and inhumane, highlighting the insurgents’ use of bombs and firearms against both officials and civilians during the holy month of Ramadan. He urged governors and district chiefs to prioritize boosting morale among civil servants and building public confidence by increasing security measures.
The meeting underscored the importance of provincial governors leading administrative efforts to prevent and resolve local issues effectively. District chiefs were instructed to leverage local intelligence mechanisms, familiarize themselves with local leaders, and report findings to governors. Coordination with the 4th Army Region was also discussed to enhance SBPPV training and preparedness.
Efforts were also focused on providing effective assistance to those impacted by the unrest, with plans to prevent future incidents. Mr. Anutin called for departments under the Ministry of Interior to urgently improve measures supporting provincial and district roles in the southern border provinces.
The Department of Provincial Administration will enhance surveillance and prevent attacks on key locations, while the Department of Local Administration will coordinate financial assistance for affected individuals. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation will provide necessary resources during and after incidents, and the Department of Community Development will support economic development in impacted communities.
Mr. Arsit Samphanrat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the responsibility of provincial governors to prevent violent situations by addressing intelligence gaps and leveraging local leadership structures. He urged continuous efforts in prevention, stressing its importance over compensation and assistance.
