Motherly touch poised to marshal unity in South

ON THE RECORD

A female air force officer, Air Vice-Marshal Nitaya Im-anothai, is working in the South in the public relations field. Bangkok Post reporter Abdulloh Benjakat talked to her, the first woman serving at marshal level to take up such a job in the restive area.

HEARTS AND MINDS: AVM Nitaya Im-anothai gives sweets to children during a visit to boost public relations in the South.

What is your work philosophy?

As a woman with a motherly instinct, I think that love and bonding can win over the hearts of young people. We must consider young militants as compatriots who may have some problems or have broken the law, but they are not enemies of the state. They are as Thai as anyone else. We should not tolerate any divisions. We should promote love among ourselves instead.

How do you feel about working in a region where many people have been killed?

I am afraid that young people could be lured down the wrong path. When villagers meet me, they hug me and cry. This makes me feel good. We are glad that villagers love us. My supervisor warns me not to wear my uniform in the field. But I think if villagers see me wearing a uniform, they feel secure.

Why have you been deployed in the region?

I worked here as a group captain in 2007, and took up my new position on Oct 1 this year. I was promoted to an air vice-marshal heading public relations for the regional office of the Internal Security Operations Command. I am happy to work in the three southern border provinces again, because I love the South.

What is your job like?

Every morning I attend a meeting chaired by 4th Army chief Pichet Wisaijorn. We discuss what happened the day before. I report problems and complaints from local people. If we get requests for artesian wells, or for necessities from flood victims for example, we can arrange help right away. We can respond quickly because I report directly to the 4th Army chief.

We take swift action to help local people because their problems can't wait. People appreciate getting help quickly - it helps build trust.

How is the insurgency at the moment?

Lt Gen Pichet is transferring the principle of the sufficiency economy to local people. They learn to make their land more productive. When their lives improve, local problems are relieved. In the past, soldiers were seen as brutal. Things are improving now. Most people in the three southern border provinces do not support separatism. They believe they already have freedom. They just want well-being, secure jobs, safety of life and property. I have never seen any evidence that people want separatism.