Mayor says dire South situation ‘turning around’
The deadly motorcycle bombing in downtown Yala on Jan 22, the first major violence in the heart of the far southern province in months, has renewed fears of a return of intense insurgent attacks in the far South. In an exclusive interview with Onnucha Hutasingh and Nauvarat Suksamran, Yala municipal mayor Pongsak Yingchoncharoen downplayed such fears as he believes there are compelling reasons for the insurgents to lay down arms and turn to the negotiating table.
What does the latest Yala bombing, the first fatal attack in a long time, tell you about the state of security in the far South?
We might have to go back to square one again and again. But I think the situation is turning around, especially with regards to the insurgents’ method of fighting. My belief is shared by people in the know from many sides. I’m also curious to know how the insurgent leaders will change their way of launching their offensives.
How will they (the insurgents) change their fighting tactics?
The way I look at it is the southern violence is on the decline and there are four reasons for this. One, the southern strife we experience has entered a phase similar to when the Communist Party of Thailand was about to dissolve (in the early 1990s) due to prevailing factors outside the country. We know the Arab world is suffering from disunity which weakens the (insurgent) movement.
Two, the 14 years of insurgent unrest have inflicted so much pain, suffering and loss on local residents, many of whom also harboured distrust of the state authorities. But more people are finding the violence which brought them such hardship intolerable. They are switching sides and have decided to cooperate with the authorities. They also realised the state authorities are helping them more than they ever did.
Three, social media wields tremendous influence, so much so that it leaves the insurgents no room to stand, in a matter of speaking. Violent attacks are harder to stage. For example, the theft of six pickup trucks in Na Thawi district of Songkhla (reportedly to make car bomb in August last year) was captured on surveillance cameras. Footage of the stolen trucks being driven off and the routes the thieves took were quickly shared on the internet which gave people an idea about how the thieves planned and executed the crime.
Fourth, economic constraints are forcing people to pay more attention to how to feed their families. No one wants to condone violence, because they think it presents no solution to the bread and butter problem.
Despite the Yala bombing, the violence may be ebbing as the (insurgents’) fighting tactics are likely to change. For the Yala municipality, the people here want economic development and the city to be restored.
What are the signs of the violence reducing?
We’ve organised many high-profile events such as a cycling festival and Thai boxing match which drew many participants. It was the coming together of so many people and the events went without a hitch. Similar events are planned, including the Malayu Day festival to be joined by people from Malaysia and Indonesia. We promote cultural links with neighbouring (Muslim) countries which will earn us support from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries.
Looking back, what has impeded the development of the border provinces (affected by the violence)?
Among others, the provincial governors came and went over in a relatively short time, in one or two years. The governors are a chief driver of local developments. Their short stints mean the developments on the ground lack continuity. Incoming governors keep having to learn everything all over.
On the peace negotiations, how much of a help will that be?
Let’s face it, we have to deal with many insurgent factions: The new Pulo (Patani United Liberation Organisation), the old Pulo, the BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional) are a mix of hawkish and noncombat operatives and each faction is going through internal changes.
What do you make of the current ranks of insurgent leaders?
They cannot operate unless they have the support of local people.
If everyone shuns violence, they (insurgent leaders) would realise that attacks do not work.
I’ve been told many (insurgent groups) want to fight through political means, which bodes well for peace in the far South.
How are the people in Yala holding up following the bombing?
Many were distressed and frightened. They have not witnessed violence to such an extent, in broad daylight right in the city centre, in a long time. People’s confidence must be rebuilt quickly. Arresting the perpetrators is not the answer. Achieving dialogue (with the insurgents) is important. Local people bank their hopes on a non-violent approach in dealing with the problem. They want all sides to talk things out and reach a peaceful solution.
From my experience, those who engineer insurgent attacks tend to believe the authorities, not themselves, were the agents of violence. Now, many of them act in a less extreme way.