Military leader orders reinforcement of security measures for local inhabitants in the southern region
Increased Violence in Thailand's Deep South Prompts Tightened Security Measures
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has announced heightened protection measures for civilians in the Deep South region following a surge in violent incidents and stalled peace talks with insurgent groups. RTA commander-in-chief, General Pana Klaewplodthuk, issued the directive during a meeting with commanders on Monday.
General Pana's instructions come after Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai visited the troubled region over the weekend, delivering policy directives aimed at enhancing safety and protection for local residents. The RTA spokesman, Major General Winthai Suvari, confirmed that the army is expected to implement these policies to ensure the safety of people in the area.
Thailand's Deep South, consisting of the provinces Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and parts of Songkhla, has seen a marked increase in instances of violence since early 2025. The escalation in attacks comes amid a stalemate in peace talks between the Thai government and separatist groups like the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN).
Recent attacks have targeted various civilians, including Buddhist monks, women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Notable incidents include the murder of a former Islamic teacher on April 18, the killing of a blind mother and her daughter on April 22, and the shooting of a 9-year-old girl, a 75-year-old man, and a 76-year-old blind woman in Narathiwat on May 2.
The BRN has denied sanctioning attacks on civilians, but failed to reach a Ramadan ceasefire agreement in March led to increased violence. Following the failed ceasefire attempt, the BRN attacked Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok District Office on March 9, resulting in the deaths of two volunteer defense officers and the wounding of 12 people.
In addition to tightening security measures in the troubled region, General Pana also emphasized the importance of border readiness. He instructed army units responsible for securing borders in other provinces to inspect personnel and weaponry to ensure they are prepared to defend the nation's borders.
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[1] Enchanting Media. (2025). Thailand Deep South Violence Escalates. [online] Available at: https://www.enchantingmedia.com/news/thailand-deep-south-violence-escalates/ [Accessed 2025-05-08]
[2] Bangkok Post. (2025). Army looks to border readiness amid intensifying insurgency. [online] Available at: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2062996/army-orders-to-ensure-border-readiness [Accessed 2025-05-08]
[3] Voice of America. (2025). Thailand to deploy more troops to Deep South. [online] Available at: https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-situation-updates/2686137.html [Accessed 2025-05-08]
[4] The Nation Thailand. (2025). Pheu Thai urges government to resume peace talks. [online] Available at: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403632 [Accessed 2025-05-08]
[5] BBC News. (2025). Thailand: Persistent insurgency in South. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30815009 [Accessed 2025-05-08]
- General Pana, in response to the intensifying violence in the Deep South region, has highlighted the importance of border readiness, also instructing army units in other provinces to inspect personnel and weaponry, as a part of ongoing business to defend the nation's borders.
- In the midst of the escalating conflict in Thailand's Deep South, Thailand's stock market has drawn attention from global investors like Pichai, who proposed policies to reignite the market and enhance investment reforms, despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in the region.
- Amidst the backdrop of the continued violence in the Deep South, Political parties such as the Pheu Thai have urged the government to resume peace talks with separatist groups to address the root causes of the conflict, which has wide-reaching implications for the overall economy of Thailand.
