Thailand: After Deadly Attacks, Activists Criticize Govt For Stalled Southern Peace Talks

 March 11, 2025 

By BenarNews

By Mariyam Ahmad and Nontarat Phaicharoen

NGOs and opposition politicians blamed a spike in violence in Thailand’s Deep South on unclear governmental peace policies and stalled negotiations with rebels, after attacks by suspected insurgents killed six people and injured about a dozen others since Saturday. 

According to the Thai military, separate rebels in the mainly Malay Muslim southern border region were intensifying violence during the holy month of Ramadan, which began here on March 2.

The series of attacks on Saturday and Monday brought to 15 the death toll from insurgency-related violence since the start of the new year in the region that lies along the border with Malaysia.

“Earlier incidents of burning electricity poles or putting up [protest] signs already reflected dissatisfaction, but the government remained passive toward these signals without any response,” said Anchana Heemmina, chairperson of the Duay Jai (with Heart) Association for Humanitarian Assistance, a local NGO.

“Now new violence affecting people has begun. Part of this may be due to operational shortcomings, but the government cannot deny responsibility for not showing clear intentions regarding the peace dialogue process,” she told BenarNews. 

Since Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government took office last August, there have been no signs of Malaysia-brokered peace talks restarting. Her father, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was recently appointed as a special adviser to ASEAN to help Kuala Lumpur with the Deep South question during Malaysia’s chairmanship of the Southeast Asian bloc in 2025.

The last round of peace talks between negotiators representing Thailand and Barisan Revolusi rebels took place in Kuala Lumpur 13 months ago. Paetongtarn’s administration has still not yet appointed a new chief Thai negotiator for the peace talks, after the post was vacated in October.  

Phumtham Wechayachai, the Thai deputy prime minister and defense minister, said Bangkok was ready for talks to proceed, but with conditions.

“It’s unfortunate that incidents occurred and people died. We have publicly stated that violence should cease for a period. If it can be stopped, it shows a genuine desire for negotiation. We ask for a ceasefire before negotiations,” Phumtham told reporters on Monday.

On Saturday, attackers bombed and opened fire on the Su-ngai Kolok district office and launched attacks on several other locations in Narathiwat province, killing two defense volunteers and injuring about 10 civilians, Thai authorities said.

Later that night in Sai Buri district, Pattani province, suspected rebels attacked a Ranger Regiment special task force, killing an officer and two civilians and injuring one other. At 2 a.m. Monday, gunmen shot and killed another village defense volunteer in Krong Pinang district, Yala province, officials said.

Lt. Gen. Paisan Nusang, the Thai army commander in the region, said insurgents were acting deliberately during Ramadan.

“They believe committing these acts during Ramadan brings merit, as incidents typically increase during this month. I have ordered a review of incident control measures and law enforcement tracking of perpetrators according to operational plans,” Paisan told BenarNews.

Anchana called on the government to be proactive.

“Since Prime Minister Paetongtarn [Shinawatra] met with the Malaysian prime minister last December, the government has yet to find a way to address the southern border issues. They have remained passive, reflecting a lack of commitment to solving these problems. Then, violence actually escalated,” Anchana said.

Opposition politician Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, condemned the latest violence in the Deep South.

“I urge the government to expedite finding the perpetrators for legal prosecution and to seriously advance the peace dialogue process,” he told reporters.

“This process should be a key component in reducing violence from all sides and finding sustainable solutions,” Natthaphong said in a Facebook post.

Peace talks began in 2013 between government representatives and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) – and later with other rebel groups – with Malaysia facilitating.

In December, civil society organizations in the southern border provinces, including the Cross Cultural Foundation, Duay Jai Association for Humanitarian Assistance, and more than 10 other organizations, along with citizens, called on the government to resume peace negotiations with the BRN.

The government’s efforts toward peace talks were stagnant, according to foundation director Pornpen Khongkachonkiet.

“The refusal to appoint a head of the peace dialogue team while violent situations are significantly increasing is the direct cause,” Pornpen said. “The government should urgently establish an official dialogue team with representatives from all sides, without waiting for directions from Thaksin and Anwar.”

Malaysian concerns

Meanwhile, after Saturday’s attacks, the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory for the Thai southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, recommending that travelers postpone all non-essential visits. It also called for Malaysians in those provinces to register with the Consulate General in Songkhla.

In addition, Malaysian Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek expressed concern for children who cross the border from Thailand to attend school in Rantau Panjang.

“Safety is always our priority, and we continuously work with national security forces to ensure that every aspect of our children’s safety is given the utmost attention,” she told reporters at an event in Kelantan.

“Regarding students’ safety, especially those who cross the border, we have already taken early measures. Among them, we ensure that these students stay in dormitories or with relatives who can guarantee their safety,” she said. “This means they do not need to cross the border daily. These measures have been implemented in schools under the Ministry of Education.”

• Iman Muttaqin Yusof in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.