BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai visited Pattani province on May 25 to chair a security consultation with military personnel stationed in the southern border provinces. The meeting, held at the Club Hall of the 15th Infantry Division at Somdet Phra Suriyothai Camp in Nong Chik district, involved officers and government representatives to review local security conditions and gather firsthand feedback from those working on the ground.
Conducted in an informal roundtable format, the session promoted open discussion among participants. Military officers shared their assessments of the current security environment, outlined operational difficulties, and discussed the root causes of ongoing unrest. They also offered recommendations for resolving the conflict and submitted requests for additional policy support and resources from central authorities.
During the meeting, Phumtham reaffirmed the government’s adherence to a peaceful resolution, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the state, military, and local communities to reduce violence and improve living conditions in the region.
The visit underscored the government’s approach to national security planning, which seeks to integrate local perspectives into policy development. Engaging directly with field personnel is viewed as a necessary step toward designing more practical and effective responses to the situation in the South.
Officials stated that the insights shared during the consultation will inform future security strategies tailored to the needs of the region. The government continues to support long-term, people-centered solutions as essential to achieving lasting peace and stability. (NNT)
