Songkhla: Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Prachachart Party and advisor to the Government's Special Representative Committee on resolving issues in the southern border provinces, clarified during an urgent debate in the House of Representatives that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing problems in the southern regions. He explained that the decision to hold a cabinet meeting in Songkhla was strategically made to avoid deploying excessive personnel, emphasizing that the Prime Minister's absence from the three southern provinces was not due to fear but a careful consideration of resource management for the people's benefit.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor addressed queries about the government's choice of Songkhla for the cabinet meeting, explaining that the plan had been underway for months. He noted recent unrest incidents in the southern provinces, which would have necessitated a large security detail, possibly compromising local safety. "The safety and well-being of the people must take precedence over the duties of the Cabinet. This decision is not about courage or fear," Wan Muhammad Nor asserted.
He further highlighted the government's eight-point policy framework aimed at resolving the ongoing insurgency, which has witnessed over 7,000 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries in the past 22 years. The framework, announced on July 10, 2026, includes enhancing intelligence operations, upholding the rule of law, a 90-day drug crackdown initiative, and fostering economic development alongside security improvements, among other measures.
Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor also emphasized the significance of cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly Malaysia, acknowledging its role as a vital economic and tourism partner. He stressed that such collaboration is aimed at mutual benefits rather than external interference. A special committee, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been established to devise integrated and sustainable solutions to the issues in the southern border provinces.