Bangkok: The Southern Border Provinces Administration Center (SBPAC) convened its first meeting to deliberate on strategies aimed at resolving the escalating violence in the southern border provinces. This meeting marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing issues in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the Government's Special Representative Committee for Resolving Problems in the Southern Border Provinces (DSPC) also held its inaugural meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sihasak Phuangketkaew, who joined via video conference from Japan. Key figures in attendance included Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, Advisor to the Special Representative; Lt. Gen. Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence; Mr. Chatchai Bangchawad, Secretary-General of the National Security Council; Mr. Pasakorn Boonyalaksam, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior for Security Affairs; commanders of the armed forces; and representatives from security agencies.
Prior to the meeting, reporters sought comments from Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha regarding the recent surge in incidents in the southern region and the factors that might be contributing to it. He suggested directing such questions to the authorities. When asked about the potential for negotiations from a local perspective, Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha refrained from providing an answer and promptly joined the meeting.
Mr. Phasakorn indicated that the meeting is expected to result in an initial directive, with further details to be provided by the Minister of Interior. Efforts by reporters to gather insights from General Phana Klaewplodthuk, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, about the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border were met with silence as he proceeded directly into the meeting.