Army should step back

The Royal Thai Army clearly does not believe that peace is at hand in the deep South. The Internal Security Operations Command, backed by the military regime, is widening its programme of village volunteers. Dubbed the “Thung Yang Daeng model” after the Pattani village where it was spawned, the project aims to draw communities together into a cohesive network to identify and issue warnings of insurgent violence. From a military perspective, the programme is a worthy attempt to enlist the help of civilians to promote peace. The question is whether the military should be running it.

With a population barely scraping 25,000 people, Thung Yang Daeng is a small rural district, with just four tambon, or sub-districts. It borders Yala province to the south. In October last year, five schools were attacked and set on fire. The arson blitz, enacted deep into the night, also destroyed a sixth school in neighbouring Mayo district.

The separatist attacks were hugely demoralising to the district. Children were the immediate victims; teachers and families were devastated, even more so by the loss of classrooms. The commander of the 4th Army Region, Lt Gen Prakan Cholayut, visited the school sites. The idea for the “Thung Yang Daeng model” grew out of the question he asked at the time: What if villagers had seen the insurgents preparing their arson attacks, and spread the alarm quickly? Officers from the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) turned the question into a pilot project.

Since late last year, residents of the district’s 22 villages have been generally supportive. Isoc claims it has now established a working system of community watches across Thung Yang Daeng’s four tambon. Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also army commander, believes the system can be scaled up and applied to villages throughout the four southernmost provinces. Volunteers will be outfitted with proper gear and communications gadgets to raise the alarm if and when separatists are spotted on the cusp of an attack.

Girding villagers for community self-defence is a positive step. The Bangkok Post has long been a strong voice urging the government to promote community action at the village-level — in schools, mosques and temples throughout the region. But questions must be raised about the management of Isoc and the army’s leadership in implementing and expanding the Thung Yang Daeng model.

The first is the military’s role as the network’s organiser and head of command. The entire concept of community watch teams is meant to be based on family and community loyalty. Overnight watch teams who work to prevent atrocities, like the school attacks, must serve a local purpose first and foremost: to protect the community and its people. Of course, community vigilance undoubtedly plays a role in national policies to prevent and counter acts of terrorism. However it is unnecessary — and potentially harmful — for the army, and Isoc, to take direct control.

Isoc sees the Thung Yang Daeng model as part of an interprovince strategy. Volunteers need training. Propaganda for the scheme will be organised, including demonstrations against violence. Alarms and CCTV will be installed in schools, and watch units will integrate with defence volunteers, or armed village militiamen. In other words, the army will be in charge.

This is a chance for the army, including the military government, to step back. The Thung Yang Daeng model is an excellent idea, but risks losing momentum and sabotaging the enthusiasm and support shown by locals if it starts to be perceived as just another mandated project from on high. Let the southerners take the programme, with each village adapting it to its local needs. There is no reason to regiment community watch; it belongs in the hands of the communities.