April 28 saw the tranquil streets of Than To district in Yala disrupted by a road bomb explosion, leaving a gaping crater as a stark reminder of the ongoing turmoil. The southernmost provinces of Thailand have been gripped by a resurgence of violence, underscored by over 20 reported attacks in just three months, amidst stalled peace dialogues with insurgent factions. While the reasons behind this uptick in hostility from February to April remain elusive, there are whispers that the government’s unsympathetic stance towards negotiations may be fueling the flames.
The recent escalation has been marked by no less than 10 bombings and six shootings, tragically impacting civilians, including children and the elderly. This has prompted renewed calls for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration to reinitiate dialogues aimed at restoring calm to the volatile region. In a quest for insight, the Bangkok Post engaged with experts, peace advocates, and politicians from both government and opposition camps who have been instrumental in seeking solutions to the southern conflict.
Back to the Negotiation Table
Srisompob Jitpiromsri, the astute director of the Centre for Conflict Studies and Cultural Diversity at Prince of Songkla University, highlights a troubling reversal of a decade-long trend of dwindling violence. The prior decline was attributed to peace talks between the government and the rebel group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN). However, with the advent of the current administration last year, a shift in policy has emerged, leading to halted dialogues and a subsequent spike in unrest. “The surge in violence corresponds with the cessation of talks,” he remarked.
Before the talks hit a dead-end, they focused on a Joint Comprehensive Plan towards Peace (JCPP) — a blueprint envisioned to empower local communities and address economic, equity, and decentralization issues. “We need to breathe life into the JCPP platform to cultivate solutions that deter violence on all fronts,” asserted Mr. Srisompob. A harmonious resolution could potentially see peace blossom during negotiations, as the BRN has shown willingness to temper their demands for independence in exchange for the acknowledgment of their political rights.
Championing a solution crafted through inclusive dialogue, Mr. Srisompob suggests a special administrative arrangement akin to those in Bangkok and Pattaya. He acknowledges the military’s indispensable role in maintaining order yet advocates for a gradual reduction in spending by encouraging political and policy solutions alongside public participation. Astonishingly, over half of the military’s 20 billion baht budget has been poured into tackling southern violence. “Reduced violence equates to shrinking budgets, which some in security might see as a threat. Empowering the region’s population as part of the peace equation could also sway military support for reforms, thereby addressing criticisms of security expenditures,” he elaborated.
Halt the Violence
Anchana Heemmina, a revered human rights defender and the founder of the Duay Jai Group, emphasizes that the peace process has lost its vigor, with the JCPP making no headway. Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s intent to review strategies, sans forming a new team, mirrors the government’s negotiation approach. Anchana cautions that the existing policy leans towards arrests and judicial actions amidst distrust in the justice system, potentially exacerbating the situation.
Anchana proposes a pre-talk violence halt as a gesture of goodwill, advocating for appointing a lead negotiator accepted by both sides and granted full government authority to champion peaceful solutions. When queried about what a mutually advantageous peace pact might entail, she cites examples like Northern Ireland, Spain’s Basque region, and Mindanao in the Philippines. “Both the government and BRN must heed the voices they claim to represent — a peace without people is just a statistic of losses. They don’t seek conflict cycles, they yearn for lasting peace,” she stressed. Recognition and respect for all victims, irrespective of faith, are crucial to preventing deeper divisions.
Administrative Mechanisms
Chaturon Chaisang, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chair of the special House committee advocating peace in the south, concurs that peace talks are pivotal in mitigating unrest. Yet, he acknowledges the negotiation team’s dissolution with government changes, pointing out the new team’s formation could stretch out. He notes, “Administrative approaches must be preferred for peace progression due to legal hurdles, particularly regarding negotiators’ status.”
Updating on the committee’s endeavors, Chaturon recaps its assessment of past governmental strategies, with a spotlight on economic growth, education, and public perception of these policies. While dialogues are vital, they must confront underlying issues as talks progress. Diverse groups must be embraced in peace-building efforts. While reducing violence seems achievable in the short term, enduring peace mandates consistent commitment. “It still demands time, but we aspire to a resolution well before two decades pass,” he reflected.
Road to Peace
The belated appointment of a lead negotiator has left a void, exacerbated by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s regional visit, according to Kannavee Suebsang, an MP from the Fair Party. He suggests a threefold strategy: categorizing peace talks as a national agenda, incorporating local community members, revisiting special security laws to foster civil liberties, and implementing decentralization-centric bureaucratic reforms.
Kannavee notes that during the military’s reign, violence waned, potentially due to a strict approach coupled with a negotiation commitment. Yet, the elected government has missed leveraging its mandate for political solutions, thus worsening the scenario. Absence of violence isn’t equivalent to peace, he cautions, emphasizing that public trust and confidence anchor real progress. Political will, the keystone for peace restoration, is glaringly absent thus far.
Why does this keep happening? The government needs to wake up and start taking these peace talks seriously.
Totally agree. The government should prioritize these talks, but it feels like they’re just ignoring the root causes.
Exactly! Ignoring these issues only makes them worse. They need to act now before it’s too late!
It’s just politics. Every new administration thinks they can handle it better by themselves.
That’s spot on! It’s like no one wants to admit they need to stick to what’s already working.
I don’t think dialogue alone will fix this. There needs to be a combination of military might and negotiations.
Military action just escalates the problem. We need smarter solutions that involve everyone.
True, but how do you ensure safety without a strong military presence?
By building trust and addressing people’s grievances. It’s a longer path but more sustainable.
I lived in the south for years, and I can say that local voices are rarely heard in these negotiations.
That’s a big issue everywhere, bureaucracy always forgets the local perspective.
Half the military’s budget is spent on fighting this conflict? That’s insane!
Isn’t it crazy that even with such a huge budget, they can’t maintain peace?
Right? It’s like all that money just goes down the drain without effective results.
Education and public awareness should be at the forefront of these efforts, not military action.
Education definitely helps, but it takes years to see any noticeable impact.
Yeah, but starting now is better than never. We’ve got to think long-term here.
What about the children? Nobody seems to care about how these crises affect them.
Children are the voiceless victims. They need peace more than anyone else.
Amen to that. We’re talking about their future!
Violence won’t end until both sides drop their egos and have real conversations.
Easier said than done. It’s not just about talks, but who’s at the table matters too.
When will they learn that peace without locals is just wishful thinking?
The government needs to integrate local views and create policies reflecting them.
Why not a special administrative region? Let locals have more say in their governance.
A special administrative zone could be promising, but it needs careful planning and execution.
Every time there’s a change in government, there are changes in policies. It’s like a never-ending cycle.
This seems like a cycle of neglect and empty promises. Time for real action!
We can only hope that this time they truly mean what they say.