Thung Yang Daeng Model: a new initiative or just old wine in new bottle?

After the torching of six schools in Thung Yang Daeng and Mayaw districts of Pattani during the early hours of Sunday October 12, the military security has come up with the following term "Thung Yang Daeng Model". 

          The term was quickly adopted by the media as if it was a panacea that would prevent a repeat of the incidents in Thung Yang Daeng on October 12.

          But what does Thung Yang Daeng Model mean?  Is it a new initiative or just old wine in a new bottle?

          On the following day, Army Commander-in-Chief General Udomdej Seetabut called a video conference from Bangkok with the forward command of the Internal Security Operations Command’s 4th region and agencies concerned to discuss the torching incidents and measures to be adopted to prevent a repeat of the incidents.

          Six measures were adopted.  These include increased night operations, deployment of rapid mobile units, interception and inspection units and the use of special night vision devices; communication centres at tambon level; revision of security maintenance plans and searches of suspected locations.

          It was concluded during the meeting that the Thung Yang Daeng Model would be adopted.  The model incorporates the installation of remote-controlled alarm system and CCTV system at all schools in the Deep South; setting up of civilian volunteer units; village security units to guard all vulnerable schools and tambon volunteers to guard all road accesses to villages.

          Political measures to strengthen communities against narcotic drugs were also adopted in conjunction with the implementation of development projects and empowering the locals to look after their own communities.

          In short, Thung Yang Daeng Model means the pooling of human resources and materials to prevent schools from being torched by the militants again.

          However, most of the officials of different agencies were in the dark about the full details of the model when approached by Isra news agency.  Some said that there are many details about the model and the issue is still being discussed.

          Hence, the questions about whether Thung Yang Daeng Model is new or old?  Or is it just a flash in the frying pan?

          One official who is responsible for budgeting said that the plan of equipping all schools in the troubled region with CCTV or alert system dated back some seven years ago when teachers were killed and schools attacked by the militants but the plan never got off the ground.

          But one official expressed doubt that the alarm system would work in reality.  He pointed out that most attacks by the militants came out of a sudden and caught school guards off-guard.  He wondered whether the guards would have enough time to press the alarm button or whether the guards would dare to press the alarm system in face of the militants.

          Also, the installation of CCTV and alarm systems for some 1,300 primary schools will cost a huge amount of spending while no one can assure that the systems are effective.

          Another official pointed out that the militants had the capacity to torch more than six schools but they chose only six in Pattani on October 12.

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Caption : Mr. Panu Uthairat secretary-general of Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre went to Thung Yang Daeng district in Pattani and met the volunteer guards to talk about Thung Yang Daeng Model.