Taking the insurgency by storm: Southern Thailand’s military withdrawal sets off in full swing

[webfact]

 

The forthcoming military withdrawal in the southern region of Thailand, which has seen 19 years of insurgent unrest, is currently in its initial phase, according to Fourth Region Army commander, Lt. Gen. Santi Sakuntanak. The four-year plan aims to gradually decrease military presence and remove the state of emergency that has been prevalent in the area.

 

Since 2004, Yala, Narathiwat, and Pattani, along with certain sections of Songkhla, have been in a state of upheaval due to various kinds of civil unrest. This turmoil has had detrimental impacts on the lives of the people, the economy and the social fabric of the region. A planned military withdrawal from these areas is anticipated to bring some relief and push for normalization.

 

The turmoil first erupted in January 2004 when militants stormed the 4th Development Battalion at the Kromluang Narathiwat Ratchanakarin military camp in Narathiwat’s Cho Airong district, pilfering a significant amount of firearms.

 

This event served as a precursor to a rash of attacks and fuelled a separatist movement seeking autonomy. Despite the various tactics employed by state authorities to stifle the unrest, their efforts proved unsuccessful.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

#news

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-army-begins-4-year-withdrawal-amid-peace-restoration-in-southern-region-2

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-03

 

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[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A planned military withdrawal from these areas is anticipated to bring some relief and push for normalization.

Long overdue.

[herfiehandbag]

Besides, they might have their hands full somewhere else soon...

[KhunLA]

Hopefully that will mean a decrease/end to terrorist activities.

 

Hope so, as planning  trip down that way soon, I think.  Was never really concerned about safety, just not a fan of constant, bottle necked check points.

[MarcelV]

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Hopefully that will mean a decrease/end to terrorist activities.

 

Hope so, as planning  trip down that way soon, I think.  Was never really concerned about safety, just not a fan of constant, bottle necked check points.

Living in Narathiwat, checkpoints are hardly a nuisance. You just lower your speed, but as a foreigner, you're rarely ever stopped by the soldiers, barely losing time on your travels.