Yingluck takes on deep South

EDITORIAL

Published: 7 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The decision by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take control of national security solves a political problem but poses new challenges.

It opens new opportunities to address the violence in the deep South. At the same time it raises several possible problems. It has been two decades since a prime minister has directly assumed control and Ms Yingluck will be battling entrenched perceptions as well as the violent gangs of the South.

Ms Yingluck is the first prime minister to take a firm hold of national security since Chuan Leekpai, the Democrat premier from 1992 to 1995. Shortly after he took office, a political battle broke out over who would serve as defence minister. Mr Chuan stepped in where no civilian had ever dared to tread, and took the post himself.

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bangmodken
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Discussion 5 : 07 Nov 2012 at 18.415
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D4 : The religious aspect is likely related to the fact that many muslim southerners don't trust the authorities,whom are mostly buddhists. And who can blame them?
It also serve as check and balance to avoid another Tak Bai,Krue See,Joh Ai Rong etc.
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geoffo
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Discussion 4 : 07 Nov 2012 at 17.554
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I commented before but maybe it was too sensitive. I asked if Mr Nimu saying the Southern problem is a religious one. If so he is the only one officially saying that.

I do not think an Islamic expect is needed anymore than a Buddhist expert is needed. What is needed is an intelligent leader with a strength of purpose.

Is this Yingluk. Time will tell but I doubt it for the simple reason she is undermined by Big Bro at every opportunity. He failed big time at solving this problem and will not let her succeed.
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lungstib
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Discussion 3 : 07 Nov 2012 at 15.383
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If peace is the aim why do men trained in war keep getting the job? In this respect I suspect Ms Yingluck will do about as well as the predecessors but maybe no better if she has to phone out for instructions all the time.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 2 : 07 Nov 2012 at 10.412
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YS cannot make any progress in dealings with the other side until she has managed to get the government, military, police, judiciary, bureaucracy and other important stakeholders to agree to a national negotiating strategy. Until then everything else is window dressing.
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oldairman
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Discussion 1 : 07 Nov 2012 at 06.401
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There were signs of support from the deep South for her decision - and there were no immediate, strong objections. The influential Muslim leader Nimu Makaje of Yala thought it was "a good idea" for the government leader to take direct charge of the problem. He worried only that Ms Yingluck would lack the time to visit the area often. And he wondered if she has sufficient knowledge of Islam and local culture. But then, which recent security chief has had more?

She will try to fit it in between shopping trips, visits abroad and her rare visits to parliament.
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Yingluck takes on deep South | Bangkok Post: opinion