Special report: Local People Confident in SBPAC’s Operations to Tackle Southern Problems



BANGKOK, 16 February 2016 (NNT)-A public opinion poll, known as “SUARA POLL, shows that local people in the deep South of Thailand are confident in the efforts and operations of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) in tackling southern problems.

SBPAC Secretary-General Panu Uthairat revealed results of the SUARA POLL – Voices from the Southern Border Provinces –, which was undertaken by Yala Rajabhat University’s Research and Southern Border Development Institute.

Mr. Panu said that the poll was conducted on 28-29 January 2016 among 6,135 local residents, comprising community leaders, religious leaders, heads of various local occupational groups, and members of the public. It was carried out in all villages in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, and four districts of Songkhla, which include Chana, Thepha, Na Thawi, and Saba Yoi.

Respondents to the poll indicate that SBPAC has played a very important role in handling problems in the deep South and in developing the area. A total of 98.8 percent of the respondents said that SBPAC was able to ease the hardships of local people and 97.7 percent stated that this organization has improved the southern situation. Around 98.9 percent said that they are willing to support the operations of SBPAC in its work to deal with problems in the southern border provinces.

According to the poll, SBPAC wins the trust of most local people, who believe in its effectiveness and efficiency. They cited four reasons for their judgment. Firstly, SBPAC can provide immediate and timely assistance to the people. Secondly, the operations of SBPAC are able to respond to the needs of the people and relieve their hardships. Thirdly, SBPAC focuses on the participation of local residents in its projects and activities. Fourthly, local people are able to take part in monitoring the projects to ensure that they are carried out with transparency and in line with the objectives and set targets.

Moreover, the SUARA POLL indicates that SBPAC has performed well in creating better understanding between local people and members of the public sector. In particular, this organization has developed and promoted the roles of government officials and security forces in providing a helping hand to the people facing difficulties. SBPAC has also encouraged state personnel to adjust their working style, with an emphasis on people-centered approach.

First established in 1981, SBPAC was disbanded in 2002, but in 2006, it was revived. Later, it was restructured to become a juristic entity, following the enforcement of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Act on 30 December 2010, which covers all districts in the five southern border provinces, namely Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Satun.

The objective of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Act is to improve the integration of work done by various agencies to develop the southern border provinces and tackle problems there effectively and in a systematic manner. SBPAC is a special government unit under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister. The SBPAC Secretary-General, a senior civil servant with status equivalent to that of a permanent secretary, serves as chief of this organization.

SBPAC is also responsible for mapping out southern border provinces development strategies as guidelines for operations by all relevant agencies. These strategies will take into consideration local culture, religion, history, and way of life.

-- NNT 2016-02-16

"A total of 98.8 percent of the respondents said that SBPAC was able to ease the hardships of local people and 97.7 percent stated that this organization has improved the southern situation."

Sorry if I am a bit skeptical about these numbers, but I don't think a poll could get that sort of majority even if asked "Does the sun rise in the morning?"

This opinion poll seems to answer "Mission Accomplished" by the Prayut regime.

Back on 2015-11-12: SBPAC vows to establish peace in southern border provinces in 2016

"Peace will be finally established in Thailand's southernmost provinces in 2016, confirmed Phanu Uthairat, the secretary-general of the Southern Border Province Administration Center (SBPAC).

The year 2016 will be considered a ''special'' one in which chronic problems in the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala will be settled and peace returned with the implementation of projects, operation plans and activities, he said.

That refers in part to the Flagship Projects run by the SBPAC and Front Command of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) which has planned to establish peace in the southern border provinces. The ISOC command is based in the 4th Army Region."

So while failing to get the insurgents engaged in any peace talks over the last 20 months since the coup, the junta has single-handedly brought peace to the South. Another one-sided Prayut accomplishment.