Reset the Thai-Malaysia peace efforts in South

With those few words, Prayut quickly put to rest Kuala Lumpur’s deep suspicion of his government’s ambiguity following a widespread rumour of inviting Indonesia to join in the peace dialogue.

Prayut’s straight-talking manner was unusual in the annals of Thai-Malaysia encounters. His predecessors, mainly the Shinawatra family – comprising Thaksin and Yingluck - were different when holding talks with Najib as they were not as direct.

Prayut assured Najib that Thailand was fully on board for the peace talks and has assigned a new team in charge together with new structures. He introduced the new team leader, General Aksara Kerdphol, chairman of the Army’s advisory board, who was immediately welcomed by Najib. Earlier, Kuala Lumpur reportedly was unhappy with the switch in negotiators, fearing a lack of continuity. 

At the national level, the newly established Steering Committee for Dialogue will oversee the policies in a more integrated manner – relating to security/safety, administration of justice, public awareness and education, economic development, local governance and conflict prevent/management in the southern provinces.

The prime minister chairs the 10-member committee and the secretary-general of the National Security Council serves as its secretary. At the regional level, the Area-based Interagency Coordination Working Group will implement policies, action parts and work to create a conducive environment for peace talks, including establishing new channels to reach out to insurgent groups.

Interviews with the Thai delegates attending the summit revealed some tense moments with Najib when Prayut kept on asking for tangible answers on legal aspects of dual citizenship and the ongoing projects across the Kolok River, linking Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang and Tak Bai with Pengkalan Kubor.

It was only at the lunch reception that the two leaders were able to gain a comfort level and share relaxing moments together. Songs by Western groups the “Bee Gees” and the “Carpenters” performed by a Malaysian band filled the air with melody to put the two leaders at ease. As if on queue, one of the three Thai songs performed was “Khoo Kad” or “Quarreled Couples”— a Thai pop hit by Bird Thongchai with lyrics detailing the bickering nature of close couples and neighbours. 

The atmosphere last week was a far cry from the past when Thai-Malaysia relations hit rock bottom at the end of 2004 when former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra threatened to walk out of the Asean Summit at Vientiane in November of that year if his Malaysian counterpart, Abdullah Badawi, brought up the Takbai incident. More than the officials would like to admit, for the past decade the two countries have been trying to restore mutual trust that was the hallmark of their relations after Malaysia’s independence.

Among  Asean members, Malaysia has been reluctant to engage the Prayut government, judging from the brief encounter on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Summit in October in Milan. Thailand is hoping after Prayut’s visit and strong commitment to the peace process that Malaysia will become more active in working with his government. Three rounds of bilateral talks at various levels – the 6th Annual Consultation, 13th Joint Commission for Bilateral Developments and 4th Joint Development Strategy – are scheduled for the first half of next year. 

Thailand also wishes to hold a high-level meeting to discuss security matters exclusively. As part of the long-term development process and to restore normalcy, there will be a phased reduction of soldiers stationed in the three provinces from the current level of over 60,000, to 15,000 troops. Towards the end of the discussion, the Thai side appealed to the Malaysian leader that when the peace process resumed next time, the facilitator should loop in “all” insurgent groups. Some of them have been sidelined in the peace process. To encourage an inclusive dialogue, the Thai security echelon must also change its mind-set and ensure safety for those taking part in the peace process.

We shouldn’t forget that Thai-Malaysia relations are multifaceted. While the southern insurgency remains a very high priority, both sides must not lose sight of strengthening the development and economic agenda. With the latest announcement of a special economic zone in Songkhla, it is clear that Thailand wants to improve the standards for people also living in Yala, Satun, Pattani, Narathiwat and link them with their friends and relatives in Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Pengkalan Hulu.

The enhancement of human security and well-being in these provinces and their closely knit communities on both sides, is the only way to effectively end violence and conflict in southern Thailand.