Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday made a quick trip to the deep South. It was his first visit to the strife-torn region since he took the power in May, 2014. The trip indicates the prime minister is taking a different tack after unsuccessful attempts to end the country's most serious security threat.
On his quick trip to Narathiwat, the prime minister outlined a new reform campaign for the region. He proposes to begin by teaming up three adjoining districts. But he has a twist in his plan for an "economic triangle".
He has chosen three districts as far apart as possible within the three provinces -- Nong Chik in the north of Pattani, Betong in the south of Yala and Sungai Kolok in the southeast of Narathiwat. Under the plan, which is termed the "Triangle of Security, Sustainability and Wealth", Nong Chik will become the stronghold for agro-industry businesses, while Betong is an ideal example for sustainable energy development. Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat, which borders Malaysia, is envisaged as the centre of southern border trade.
This is by design. The past five decades of conflict in the deep South include the wreckage of numerous economic plans which came under same format. With ongoing violence, there never has been a sign of the economic surge needed to help to put paid to the violent gangs and would-be insurgents of the area. The new project, aimed at kickstarting the economy, is simple enough to describe. Effort will be poured into the three designated districts to kickstart the economy. All the other districts inside the triangle -- all the rest of the three provinces -- will benefit.
Since the coup, the number of attacks has fallen, but attempts to actually end the conflict continue. Not to mention that at his last change of command ceremony when Gen Prayut officially left the army in September, 2014, he promised to end the violence in the South by the end of 2015. He said that deadlines was because Thailand had to solve the problems in the deep South before joining the Asean Community (AC).
When he eventually took charge as head of the government later in 2014, the prime minister appeared to give an unenthusiastic blessing to attempts to re-engage Malaysia-based separatists in talks. As in 2013 under the Yingluck Shinawatra government, the effort to establish a peace dialogue has failed.
Gen Prayut was correct two years ago when he said ending the conflict was necessary. The government pours money into the low-intensity war that would be far better spent on positive projects. It is also frustrating. Separatists and self-styled insurgents kill, maim and destroy families without the hope of achieving the goal of a separate nation.
The war also stifles and overrides real problems for the people of the region. It receives less than its share of economic and social opportunity. The violence suppresses investment. The three provinces have gained almost no part of the huge growth in tourist income.
Prime Minister Prayut's new "economic triangle" project is an example of new and imaginative thinking. But the South needs more than one reason to hope it can emerge from decades of dark days.
Serious reform that is participatory and inclusive is needed to wipe away the violent gangs terrorising the deep South, while presenting new and dynamic programmes. The three southernmost provinces are waiting for a central government that recognises their deep needs and plans for their bright future.