The government should get someone else to handle security affairs in the restive South instead of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.
Mr Abhisit said it is time that the government reviewed its performance in tackling issues in the deep South and re-evaluate the role of a deputy premier who supervises security but is not willing to travel to the region.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, left, and Chalerm Yubamrung (File Photos by Patipat Janthong)
"Mr Chalerm's idea of winning without fighting is a policy that continually changes, and it is not improving the situation because civilians [in the far South] are facing hardship.
"If Mr Chalerm is unwilling to take on this responsibility, the task should be handed to other deputy prime ministers who are competent and ready to work on it," the Democrat Party leader said.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would have to make the decision, but she needed to follow up on the situation as well.
He called on Ms Yingluck and those responsible to work systematically and steer all units in the same direction.
"I want the person who handles the problems in the South to listen to all sides equally. A deputy prime minister who also looks after the police would more likely listen to the police than to others.
"The person must be all ears -- to the police, the army, the administrative sector and the general public," said the former prime minister.
Asked whether Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa would be more suited for the job, Mr Abhisit said the person responsible must hold a government post and be capable of making decisions without disrupting the operation.