PM Anutin to visit Narathiwat amid persistent southern insurgency
April 17 visit follows a new severe emergency declaration in Su-ngai Kolok after security agencies reported continued militant activity and signs of training support from abroad.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is scheduled to visit Narathiwat on April 17 to monitor the security situation related to the southern insurgency.
- The visit follows a Cabinet decision to declare a three-month “severe emergency” in the region, from April 20 to July 19, 2026.
- This security measure was prompted by assessments that violent groups continue to use the Su-ngai Kolok district as a support base for hiding, assembling bombs, and preparing attacks.
- The ongoing insurgency, which includes robberies and weapons movements, is reportedly directed by leaders from abroad with the aim of strengthening their position in peace talks.
It was reported on April 12, 2026, that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul remains Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and is scheduled to visit Narathiwat province on April 17 to closely monitor the situation.
This followed the Cabinet meeting on April 11, which approved a proposal to lift measures under the Internal Security Act in Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, while also endorsing the recommendation of the Emergency Situation Administration Committee to declare a “severe emergency” for three months, from April 20 to July 19, 2026.
The latest security assessment found that Su-ngai Kolok district continued to be used as a support base by violent groups, serving as a hideout, shelter and bomb-assembly site.
Insurgency has also continued, including gold shop robberies and the movement of weapons, affecting the safety of people and property as well as the local economy.
This was in line with the findings of the Emergency Situation Administration Committee’s meeting No. 2/2026, which assessed that violent groups remained active, with support from senior leaders directing operations and training from abroad, in preparation for attacks intended to undermine public order and strengthen their bargaining power in peace talks in the southern border provinces.
It was also reported that the Cabinet had previously resolved to lift the emergency declaration in Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, on June 12, 2018.
