Amped-Up Action Needed to Tackle Rising Turmoil in Thailand's Southern Regions
Recent Flares of Violence
- Clash with Novices: A pickup truck carrying Buddhist monks and novices was a target of an attack on April 22. A novice lost his life, and two others were wounded, showing the intensifying chaos in the area [1][2].
- Daily Eruptions of Violence: Over the past few days, we've seen a series of incidents happening almost every day. Sometimes there were even two to three incidents taking place in a single day, causing growing worries among authorities [2].
- Ramadan Attacks: During the holy month of Ramadan, separatist insurgents instigated coordinated attacks, such as bombings and military assaults. One notable incident included an attack on the Su-ngai Kolok district office in Narathiwat, leading to casualties and injuries [3].
Response from the Upper Echelons
- Phumtham's Rallying Cry: Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has commanded security forces to intensify their operations and to bring measurable results within a week. His orders entail taking active steps to prevent future acts of violence [1][2].
- Virtual Meeting with Officials: Phumtham gathered army, police, and other influential figures in a Zoom conference to underline the need for swift and decisive action to address the escalating violence in the restive provinces [2].
Steps Toward a Safer Southern Thailand
- Proactive Policing: Phumtham encouraged security forces to act promptly and not just respond to incidents as they arise. This includes stepping up patrols and intelligence gathering [1][2].
- Joint Effort Among Agencies: Phumtham emphasized the need for better cooperation among military, police, and other agencies to boost their speed and effectiveness in dealing with violent incidents [2].
- Regaining Public Trust: Authorities are aiming to recapture the confidence of the general public by showcasing significant improvements in security as soon as possible—ideally within seven days [1].
Enhance your security measures, advise southern forces
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Reference
[1] Bangkok Post. (2021, April 23). Efforts intensified to curb violence in South, says Pumtham. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thai-news/general/2091927/efforts-intensified-to-curb-violence-in-south-says-pumtham[2] Thai PBS World. (2021, April 21). Deputy PM orders security forces to end violence in South immediately. https://www.thailand-prd.go.th/2021-04-21/1041408437[3] CNN. (2019, July 15). At least 2 killed as bomb blasts rock southeastern Thailand on Eid al-Fitr. https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/15/asia/thailand-bombings-southeast-may-15/index.html
- In a bid to quell the increasing unrest in Thailand's southern regions, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has called for intensified operations by security forces, aiming to yield tangible results within a week.
- Amidst daily eruptions of violence and flares of conflict, Phumtham has urged security forces to adopt a proactive approach, focusing on prompt action and increased intelligence gathering.
- echoing sentiments shared by the deputy prime minister, authorities are striving to improve security and regain the trust of the general public, particularly in the troubled provinces, by showcasing significant improvements within the stipulated timeframe.
- The recent string of attacks, such as the one involving a pickup truck carrying Buddhist monks and novices, highlights the urgency for a joint effort among military, police, and other agencies to combat crime, maintain peace, and contribute to general news of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
