Thai Deep South: M'sia must act strategically in facilitating conflict - Thai Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia must act strategically when facilitating a peace process involving Thailand’s ‘Deep South’ conflict.

Chairperson of the Nation-Building Institute International (NBII) in Bangkok, Prof Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, said this could be done by a cooperation between the Malaysian Federal government and State governments.

He said, on the policy level, the Federal administration under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must encourage the Northern State governments to introduce policies that will encourage dialogue with leaders of Southern Thailand’s separatist movements.

“For example, there are some separatist leaders living in Malaysia. If there could be a way to send a message and make them able to listen, or if Malaysia puts a little bit of pressure on them to convince them to talk to Thailand, it will be beneficial for all,” he said in an interview with Astro AWANI.

Kriengsak, who was a member of Thailand's House of Representatives added that Thailand, being a nation that supports all ethnicities and religions in the Kingdom, including the Southern states of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla, is open for dialogue to find a solution to end the crisis that had went on for some time in the region.

An internal conflict in Thailand's Southern provinces begun since 2004 and has claimed more than 7,000 lives as rebels in the Muslim-majority region battle for greater autonomy from the state.

Additionally, Kriengsak lauded Anwar’s political will to enhance peace within the region, saying it would not only benefit Thailand, but the Malaysian economy as well.

“If peace happens, both countries will benefit economically, socially and politically. In fact, the rail link that comes all the way from China down to Laos into Thailand, could go all the way down to Malaysia and Singapore.

“On that note, it would be really useful if we can make peace happen in the deeper South provinces that are the closest to Malaysia,” he said.

Meanwhile, when asked about finding a solution to the crisis in neighbouring country Myanmar, Kriengsak said the move for Malaysia to facilitate in Thailand’s Deep South conflict would set a new tone for the way the ASEAN bloc can handle the crisis.

“The ASEAN leadership has to maintain the policy of non-interference, at same time tactically facilitate conflict.

“If Malaysia helps facilitate in Thailand’s Southern conflict, Thailand, being Myanmar’s neighbour could offer to help facilitate the issues in Myanmar,” he added.

Anwar, who is on a two-day official visit to Thailand, has appealed to the Thai government to play a more active role in resolving the conflict in Myanmar.

He said on Friday that the Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is placed in a "better position" to express many of ASEAN’s concerns since the Junta took over the country in a military coup on February 1st 2021.