Too many cooks for southern unrest problem
Cabinet reshuffle which saw the replacement of Deputy Prime Minister Kowit Wattana with General Yutthasak Sasiprapa may impact on the ongoing efforts of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) to resolve the unrest problem in the restive deep South.
A former national police chief, Pol Gen Kowit was entrusted with overseeing security affairs in the deep South. In such capacity, he occasionally toured the region to visit policemen in the field and to follow up their operations. Although he was not in direct charge of SBPAC, he developed a working relationship with SBPAC secretary-general, Pol Col Thawee Sodsong.
General Yutthasak, former defence minister, is regarded as a "new face" as far as the southern unrest problem is concerned. He is said to be close to the military top brass, especially Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.
As for the unrest problem, the military appears to favour strong-armed approach as proven in its insistence to keep the state emergency decree and martial law in the region whereas the SBPAC under Pol Col Thawee seems to prefer softer approach and to reach out to the Malay Muslims in order to win their trust.
Another problem is that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has not yet endorsed a proposal by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to set up a new administration body to resolve the unrest problem.
Under the proposed new administrative structure, ISOC will be responsible for policy matters and the Fourth Army Region will have the authority to control and command officials of all agencies operating in the region.
Currently there are three deputy prime ministers who have authority in the deep South. Chalerm Yubamring oversees the police, Yongyuth Vichaidit oversees SBPAC and administration officials whereas General Yutthasak oversees Isoc, National Security Council and the Defence Ministry.
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Caption : (from left to right) Kowit Wattana, Yutthasak Sasiprapa and Sukumpon Suwannathad, new defence minister