Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed confidence that peace talks in the southern border provinces will gain real momentum following the appointment of Gen Somsak Rungsita as head of the government’s southern peace dialogue panel.
He made the remarks during his first visit on Saturday to the deep South since assuming the premiership, emphasising his determination to restore stability and security to the long-troubled region.
While passing through Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, Mr Anutin chaired a high-level meeting with the military, police and administrative officials to outline the 2026 operational plan for peace and security in the region.
He also called for more proactive intelligence gathering, equal enforcement of the law and collaboration across all sectors.
“Intelligence work must always be one step ahead of those who plan to harm society,” Mr Anutin said. “All agencies must share information seamlessly to prevent and stop incidents before they occur.”
He said the law must be enforced fairly and firmly, protecting innocent citizens while ensuring perpetrators of violence face justice without exception.
Mr Anutin also called for unity among the military, police, civil authorities and local communities, saying all must act as one to close gaps that allow violence and lawlessness to persist.
The visit came amid a resurgence of violent incidents in the deep South. Recent attacks include an Oct 5 gold shop robbery in Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat, where more than 20 armed men stole gold worth over 35 million baht, as well as a string of bombings in Yala and Pattani.
In Yala, eight coordinated explosions rocked the city in one night, while in Pattani, a bomb was detonated near the ATM at Fatoni University. Another group torched a van inside a Narathiwat temple during Buddhist Lent, sparking public outrage.
Though no casualties were reported, the incidents highlighted the continued capacity of insurgent groups to plan coordinated strikes.
When asked whether the recent violence was linked to the ongoing leadership transition — with new appointments including the 4th Army Region commander, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) secretary-general, several provincial governors, and himself as prime minister — Mr Anutin dismissed the notion.
“There is no trial period for this job,” he said. “Whoever steps in must perform immediately. If someone breaks the law, we must bring them to justice swiftly and decisively.”
He also acknowledged the cross-border challenge posed by the region’s terrain, which allows suspects to flee into neighbouring countries quickly, saying natural exit routes must be sealed off through more patrols and close cooperation among all security agencies.
When asked whether Thailand might consider constructing a physical border barrier, the PM said such measures would only be used if national security was seriously threatened.
“No one wants to reach that point, but if there is a threat to sovereignty or public safety, the military will take all necessary actions,” he said.
The visit also marked the first joint field mission by Mr Anutin as prime minister and Gen Somsak as leader of the government’s peace talk team, a position left vacant for more than a year.
The appointment was formally announced last week by National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, with Gen Somsak saying he was assembling a team to resume talks with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) using Malaysia as the facilitator.
“We aim to build trust and maintain continuity,” he said.
During his trip, Mr Anutin was also accompanied by senior Bhumjaithai Party MPs.
The delegation landed at Wing 56 Air Base in Songkhla before travelling by helicopter to Sirindhorn Camp in Pattani for the security meeting.
At the conclusion of his visit, the prime minister and his delegation paid a visit to wounded soldiers and police officers recovering at Songklanagarind Hospital in Hat Yai district of Songkhla to offer moral support.