Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has dismissed an observation by some critics that the surge in violence in the Deep South this week may be attributable to the recent visit to the region by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He said that the fasting month of Ramadan has always been marred by violence perpetrated by southern insurgents in the three restive southernmost provinces, adding that violence was reported before Thaksin’s visit.
Thaksin, accompanied by Phumtham, visited Narathiwat on February 23rd, while Ramadan in Thailand lasts from February 28th to March 30th.
Phumtham said those who make such observations are obsessed with the Tak Bai massacre in Narathiwat about two decades ago, when Thaksin was prime minister. He also said that the peace dialogue, facilitated by Malaysia, between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasionale (BRN), the umbrella organisation of separatist groups, will not be resumed unless violence ceases.
Phumtham met National Security Council Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad yesterday, to discuss adjustments to the strategic plan for the Deep South.
He said they did not discuss whether General Niphat Thonglek, vice minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, should be appointed to head the government’s peace dialogue team until the completion of revisions to the strategic plan.
The worst recent incident took place at the Su-ngai Kolok district office in Narathiwat province last Saturday night, when insurgents detonated a powerful car bomb, after attacking the office with automatic gunfire. Two defence volunteers were killed and eight others were injured.
This incident, and other insurgent attacks in Pattani and Yala provinces, prompted the Malaysian government to advise its citizens to avoid visiting Thailand’s Deep South.
