Commander's plan for the restive South

Q : How will you carry on the work of your predecessor Lt-General Udomchai Thamsarorat?
A : I intend to ensure continuity as per the instructions of Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. My predecessor Lt-General Udom did a good job in the 4th Army Region over the past two years. I have been working with Udom and will continue his endeavours, as this is what people in the three southernmost provinces want.
Q : What are your priorities?
A : My top priority is to implement policies set by the government and the Army chief. The Internal Security Operations Command and the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre have already mapped out the policies.
Q : Do you intend to close any loopholes?
A : I don’t think there are any loopholes, though we do have the incomplete business of implementing working plans for 17 ministries and 66 agencies, which are supposed to begin at the village level. In this regard, the government has already set up a steering committee in charge of strategies and policies for the southern border provinces.
I am willing to help facilitate things so all government agencies can get their jobs done.
Q : How do you intend to rectify the weakness exploited by insurgents to fuel violence?
A : The BRN has initiated violent attacks against innocent people and the armed forces are responsible for deterrent measures. For the most part, deterrence works. Sometimes preventive work fails, and we have to work harder.
Work plans for safety measures coordinated by teachers and soldiers has been completed, but mistakes can always occur as long as the BRN is bent on attacking public figures and innocent people.
Q : How do you view the peace dialogue between the National Security Council and BRN?
A : It is a welcome development. In fact, local residents have voiced hope for a resumption of peace. They want to see an end to the violence and a stop to the attacks on innocent people and daily bombs.
Q : How will the 4th Army Region support the dialogue?
A : The NSC is the principal entity in the dialogue, while the 4th Army is ready to supply information and personnel as deemed necessary to advance the dialogue.
Q : Based on your work experience, do you intend to improve the intelligence work?
A : I have had experience in intelligence and my work will hinge on the performance of every intelligence unit. At present, people have been helping to supply information, which sheds new light on BRN’s strategies and operations.
In the future, it is essential to hold public forums on how to stop hatred and racial divisiveness.
Q : Do you think your one-year term is enough to solve problems?
A : I may have only one year, but I’m continuing work that has been started three or four years ago. I am like a commanding officer in charge of implementing what my superior, the Army chief, has envisioned. I share hopes and aspirations of the people, and will heed their advice in order to ensure that problems are tackled in a speedy manner.