DOPA raises southern border security to highest level following unrest

Thailand’s Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) has ordered security to be raised to the highest level across the southern border provinces following multiple incidents of unrest.

The order covers Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, as well as four districts of Songkhla, with authorities instructed to activate the Level 3 Incident Response Plan.

Narucha Kosasivilai, director-general of DOPA, issued a most urgent directive on Monday (August 24) to the provincial chief administrative officers of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla.

The move followed several incidents on the night of August 22 that threatened the lives and property of security personnel, administrative officials and residents.

Provincial authorities ordered to maximise readiness

At the provincial level, chief administrative officers must activate the highest security measures under the Level 3 plan and recall all personnel to their bases so they are ready for immediate deployment.

Authorities have also been told to consider suspending leave and to inspect the readiness of weapons, operational equipment, supplies and vehicles.

Security must be strengthened at strategic locations, government offices and places where large numbers of people gather.

Civilian, military and police operations to be integrated

At the district level, district chiefs, acting as directors of district operations centres, must integrate the work of civilian authorities, the military and police.

Security must be increased in accordance with district and urban security plans, using administrative mechanisms at every level to monitor local conditions closely.

District officials must also recall personnel, prepare weapons, equipment and vehicles, and strengthen protection at important sites and public gathering places.

The safety of both personnel and the public must remain the principal consideration in all operations.

Patrols stepped up at subdistrict level

At the subdistrict level, assistant district chiefs serving as heads of subdistrict protection teams, or as designated subdistrict co-ordinators, must work with subdistrict heads, village heads and members of the Volunteer Defence Corps.

Teams are required to conduct patrols, inspect their areas, maintain public order and protect important locations under the Level 3 Incident Response Plan.

Village checkpoints and guard posts activated

Village heads, in their capacity as commanders of Village Security Teams, must also raise security to Level 3.

They have been instructed to recall team members, organise patrols, maintain order and deploy guards at security posts.

Checkpoints and interception points must be established to inspect people and vehicles entering or leaving villages.

Village teams must co-ordinate their operations with subdistrict protection teams and other security agencies. Any significant incident must be reported to the district chief immediately.

Immediate intervention required after any incident

Should a security incident occur, administrative authorities must immediately raise protection to the highest level and co-ordinate with military and police units to enter the affected area.

The joint response must seek to prevent or halt violence, secure the location and bring the situation under control so that residents receive timely protection.

Narucha also instructed administrative officials at every level to maintain communications around the clock.

Any security incident or significant change in conditions must be reported immediately through the chain of command, allowing senior officials to assess the situation, issue orders and bring events under control quickly and effectively.

“Security must be raised to the highest level, with all units prepared for every situation and the safety of the public and personnel treated as the priority,” the department said.

The directive is intended to maintain public order and strengthen confidence among people living in Thailand’s southern border provinces.