Working to end southern insurgency

While we always welcome commentary on the southern border provinces (SBPs), the editorial does contain some misperceptions that must be set straight.

The visit by the Organisation of Islamic Conference’s (OIC) high-level delegation headed by Ambassador Sayed Kassem El-Masry, adviser and special envoy of the OIC secretary-general, was not a public relations exercise. The visit provided the OIC delegation with a crucial opportunity to see firsthand the situation in the SBPs. In addition to being updated on the efforts of the Royal Thai Government to address the root causes of the problem, they met with numerous stakeholders, including local community and religious leaders as well as civil society organisations. This is of paramount importance, as any misunderstanding about the situation on the ground could hamper our efforts to resolve the problem and affect Thailand’s otherwise close relations with Muslim countries. Apart from this, both sides took the opportunity to discuss how to further develop Thailand’s ongoing engagement with the OIC, including the possibility of the OIC contributing to the development of the area, not only in the economic sphere, but also in the cultural and social aspects through scholarships and teacher training programmes.

The government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is well aware that the root causes of the situation lie in the SBPs’ unique history, as a result of the different ethnicity and cultural identity of the local populace there. Indeed, this lies at the heart of what we have always stressed to the international community, and is well reflected in the government’s approach to addressing the situation. As for dialogue, the government has always been open to dialogue, not for dialogue’s sake, but as a means to achieving a peaceful and lasting resolution. We therefore stand ready to meet with all like-minded groups and stakeholders to ensure greater public participation on issues of local governance, as well as to discuss their legitimate aspirations and grievances; but this must not lead to the legitimisation of violence.

On the ministry’s part, it has initiated several projects which, in accordance with government policies, are aimed at contributing towards a sustainable solution. In the field of education, for example, the Ministry supports students from the SBPs who are furthering their studies abroad. On religion, we facilitate pilgrimages by Thai Muslims to Mecca and Medina, including setting up of haj offices in both cities. On economic development, the ministry promotes the Thai halal food industry and its acceptance abroad. Apart from this, the ministry’s human rights training programme for security officials in the SBPs has also helped promote better awareness of such issues to ensure that the local population’s rights and freedoms are respected.

Thani Thongphakdi

Department of Information

Ministry of Foreign Affairs