Thai Military to Withdraw from South, Volunteers to Step In by 2027

[webfact]

 

The Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) have announced plans to withdraw military forces from Thailand's southernmost provinces by 2027, transitioning the responsibility for public safety to local volunteer forces.

 

In a recent ceremony, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Army Commander Charoenchai Hintao signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at bolstering local volunteer forces through joint training initiatives. This strategic collaboration is designed to ease the military’s workload while ensuring continued public safety.

 

"The MoU signifies strengthened cooperation between the Ministry of Interior and Isoc. The volunteer forces, who are local residents, inherently understand their communities and will undergo additional training to better manage public order and safety," Minister Anutin stated. "We have observed steady progress during multiple visits and are confident that the volunteer forces will be adequately prepared to fulfill their duties by 2027," he added.

 

General Charoenchai highlighted that the operational framework in the southern border provinces has always been a collaborative effort among civilians, the police, and the military under Isoc's guidance. By 2027, control is expected to transition to the Department of Provincial Administration, alongside volunteer forces and police. However, he cautioned that the government might reassess the plan if the security situation does not improve.

"The volunteers already possess a strong foundation, but to ensure seamless cooperation, joint training exercises are necessary," Gen Charoenchai explained. "These volunteers will be crucial for the government in maintaining public safety and providing necessary support," he emphasized.

 

An official announcement, signed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and published in the Royal Gazette on September 25, stated that due to the prevailing security concerns in the southern region, the enforcement of the Internal Security Act will be extended in 19 districts across four provinces from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

 

The districts affected include Yi-ngo, Sungai Kolok, Waeng, and Sukhirin in Narathiwat; Yaring, Panare, Mayo, Mai Kaen, Thung Yang Daeng, Kapho, and Mae Laen in Pattani; Betong, Raman, Kabang, and Krong Pinang in Yala; and Na Thawi, Chana, Thepha, and Saba Yoi in Songkhla, reported Bangkok Post.

 

As this transition unfolds, the Ministry of Interior and Isoc remain committed to ensuring that volunteer forces are thoroughly prepared to take on their new roles, ensuring a continued emphasis on public safety and community security in southern Thailand.

 

FILE photo courtesy: Facebook FM91

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[brianthainess]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

This strategic collaboration is designed to ease the military’s workload while ensuring continued public safety.

Sorry but, what apart from the Southern problems, does the Army have to do.

Where is their Workload apart from the south ?? This is where they are needed most. IMO

[watchcat]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) have announced plans to withdraw military forces from Thailand's southernmost provinces by 2027, transitioning the responsibility for public safety to local volunteer forces.

 

But isn't this a job for the arny? Why else do they need a budget for silly things and millions of generals that seems to do absolutely nothing, kick them out it'll give the government money for taking care of the  elderly and give them a serious pension.

[Tropicalevo]

35 minutes ago, webfact said:

Minister Anutin stated. "We have observed steady progress during multiple visits

What progress?

Rangers are being murdered and maimed on a regular basis.

Very few insurgents have been arrested.

Window dressing for the poster boy?

God forbid that he should become PM one day.

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

God forbid that he should become PM one day.

 

Amen to that.

[OJAS]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

transitioning the responsibility for public safety to local volunteer forces.

 

Like this lot, perhaps??

 

 

 

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

This strategic collaboration is designed to ease the military’s workload

 

 

Workload?.......beating new recruits to death or are the generals running short of batmen?

 

 

This is a very odd strategic decision to make and 'to ease the military's workload' is a load of guff.

 

 

 

[milesinnz]

I think this should be the first deployment of the new Chinese submarine... they can dig a big hole...

[thesetat2013]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

transitioning the responsibility for public safety to local volunteer forces.

WHo is ready to volunteer to do this in the south? I guess this means the government is tired or too poor to pay soldiers to defend the locals. Why not just give that area to the enemy if you are not going to supply fighters for it?

[black tabby12345]

The Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) have announced plans to withdraw military forces from Thailand's southernmost provinces by 2027, transitioning the responsibility for public safety to local volunteer forces.

...the government might reassess the plan if the security situation does not improve...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even now, so easy to predict things won't be any better; only get worse than now.

Professional  army will be replaced with  poorly trained amateurs?

Sounds like a lunacy itself.

Edited October 2 by black tabby12345

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, milesinnz said:

they can dig a big hole...

They did that years ago... been trying to fill it in ever since.

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, thesetat2013 said:

Why not just give that area to the enemy if you are not going to supply fighters for it?

The "enemy" you refer to are the Malay Muslims who peacefully occupied their sovereign Muslim Kingdom of Patani until the Kingdom of Thailand broke its peace treaty with invasion, occupation and annexation by Thailand. I doubt the RTM, ISOC and "volunteers" (aka paramilitary) are composed of Malay Muslims but rather Buddhist invaders. 

 

[connda]

They should just give the three southern-most provinces to Malaysia and call it good.

[connda]

18 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The "enemy" you refer to are the Malay Muslims who peacefully occupied their sovereign Muslim Kingdom of Patani until the Kingdom of Thailand broke its peace treaty with invasion, occupation and annexation by Thailand. I doubt the RTM, ISOC and "volunteers" (aka paramilitary) are composed of Malay Muslims but rather Buddhist invaders. 

 

Nobody studies history.

[chippendale]

37 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

The "enemy" you refer to are the Malay Muslims who peacefully

 

Nothing they ever do is peaceful.

[Hunz Kittisak]

The military withdrawing from the south will be akin to US troops exiting Afghanistan.  It will become terrorists hub in no time 

[Hunz Kittisak]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

The "enemy" you refer to are the Malay Muslims who peacefully occupied their sovereign Muslim Kingdom of Patani until the Kingdom of Thailand broke its peace treaty with invasion, occupation and annexation by Thailand. I doubt the RTM, ISOC and "volunteers" (aka paramilitary) are composed of Malay Muslims but rather Buddhist invaders. 

 

Peaceful Muslim is an oxymoron 

See the trouble they stir up wherever they are in the world 

[Srikcir]

On 10/2/2024 at 3:42 PM, chippendale said:

 

Nothing they ever do is peaceful.

"They" being the Malay Muslims were at Peace with the Kingdom of Thailand.

The catch-all Kingdom of Siam beginning with the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1351); Ayutthaya Kingdom (1351–1767); Thonburi Kingdom (1768–1782); Rattanakosin Kingdom (1782–1932) has been an aggressor colonizing state until 1932 wherein the Kingdom military overthrew the monarchy.

[DrPhibes]

Looks like the border warlords and the military have come to an understanding 😉

[MarcelV]

Living in Narathiwat as a farang - and doing so voluntarily! not afraid: if the Good Lord decides it's my time, then so be it! - any effort towards improving people's lives is welcome.

[Will B Good]

Just now, MarcelV said:

Living in Narathiwat as a farang - and doing so voluntarily! not afraid: if the Good Lord decides it's my time, then so be it! - any effort towards improving people's lives is welcome.

 

 

if the Good Lord decides it's my time

 

 

🙄

[MarcelV]

4 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

if the Good Lord decides it's my time

 

 

🙄

Read the bible or the qur'an. Just try it for once.

[Will B Good]

7 minutes ago, MarcelV said:

Read the bible or the qur'an. Just try it for once.

 

Harry Potter is more contemporary, just as relevant, hasn't caused millions of deaths, and hasn't resulted in children being abused..................I don't need ancient fairy stories to tell me right from wrong.

 

In my experience the more religious people become the less 'Christian' they behave.

[MarcelV]

10 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Harry Potter is more contemporary, just as relevant, hasn't caused millions of deaths, and hasn't resulted in children being abused..................I don't need ancient fairy stories to tell me right from wrong.

 

In my experience the more religious people become the less 'Christian' they behave.

Speak for yourself.

The bible doesn't teach violence, but it teaches us valuable life lessons we can apply and live by in everyday life.

Some people may abuse the texts or cherry pick the most violent verses for their own perverse goals, but most Christians live lovingly and responsibly.

[herfiehandbag]

It is my impression that the bulk of the Security Forces are made up of various "Ranger" and other para military groups.

 

The army itself is a bit like the Olympic Flame - they never go out!

[MarcelV]

On 10/6/2024 at 8:53 AM, herfiehandbag said:

It is my impression that the bulk of the Security Forces are made up of various "Ranger" and other para military groups.

 

The army itself is a bit like the Olympic Flame - they never go out!

The military will never leave the south.

There is too much money involved. Even my wife, a civil servant in Narathiwat wants the unrest to continue and the military to stay.

The bombings are a way of life here. All we can do is pray they won't hit us.