Thaksin Shinawatra to visit Narathiwat for security talks
Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, is set to visit Narathiwat on Sunday, February 23 as an informal adviser to the ASEAN chair, where he will discuss security matters with officials in Thailand’s Deep South.
The visit, confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday, marks Thaksin’s first return to the region since his tenure as prime minister nearly two decades ago.
Thaksin has previously engaged with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the ASEAN chair, regarding the ongoing unrest in Thailand’s southern provinces and has proposed strategies for enhanced security management. Phumtham’s announcement followed earlier media reports about the planned visit.
The reputation of Thaksin’s administration in managing southern border security was affected by controversies, including the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit in March 2004 and the Tak Bai and Kru Se incidents in the same year.
During his visit, Thaksin is expected to be joined by Phumtham and Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong in Sungai Padi subdistrict, located in Sungai Padi district.
Thanathip Phromchuean, the subdistrict’s headman, invited locals via Facebook to welcome Thaksin and the ministers at Wat Prachum Chonthara on Sunday morning. Thaksin is also set to meet Phra Thamwatchara Chariyachan, the abbot of the temple, and locals.
Phumtham declined to comment on whether Thaksin’s insights will contribute to a new draft by the National Security Council (NSC), which is currently revising its strategic plan for addressing southern unrest as directed by the government.
He noted ongoing revisions and recent discussions with senior Fourth Army officers at the regional army’s forward command in the South, with plans to continue dialogues with military commanders.
Phumtham added that these discussions are intended to gather input for the NSC’s updated strategic plan, conducted in small groups to facilitate open communication.
In a meeting at the Internal Security Operations Command’s Region 4 Forward Command in Pattani on Monday, Phumtham stated that the government’s new approach to resolving the southern conflict would incorporate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s philosophy of “understanding, engagement, and development,” reported Bangkok Post.
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