Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in his capacity as chief adviser to this year’s ASEAN chair, will travel to Thailand’s southernmost province of Narathiwat this Sunday to gather information on the southern conflict.
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he will join Thaksin on the trip and that they will be meeting with senior security officials.
Violence has continued in southern Thailand for decades, resulting in the deaths of and injuries to many innocent people.
During Thaksin’s tenure as prime minister, his policies allowing police to suppress the insurgency are blamed, by many, for provoking violence in the region.
Thaksin recently visited Brunei, where he took part in discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, ASEAN chairman, and the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah.
Anwar appointed Thaksin as his chief adviser during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s official visit to Kuala Lumpur last year.
In carrying out his assignment, which includes traveling to other ASEAN nations, Thaksin must seek court permission to go abroad, as part of the bail conditions related to a lèse majesté charge.
