14 Deep South MPs Press Committees to Probe Unrest & Chopper Incident
Fourteen MPs from Thailand's Deep South petitioned two parliamentary committees to investigate recent unrest between Aug 22-24 and a military helicopter shooting in Narathiwat.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- 14 Deep South MPs petition two panels over regional unrest
- Vandalism hits power poles, local offices, and convenience stores
- Committees urged to probe Narathiwat helicopter shooting incident
- Special panel meeting scheduled for August 27 to review agencies
Recently, MP Zakariya addressed the series of unrest incidents that erupted across multiple areas in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces between August 22 and 24. He stated that the violence directly disrupted national security, local economies, daily livelihoods, and public utilities, prompting immediate action from representatives in the region.
The legislator emphasized that the widespread destruction caused severe anxiety among local residents. The attackers targeted critical infrastructure and properties, including blowing up power poles, torching local administrative offices, municipal buildings, and essential municipal vehicles like garbage trucks and fire engines, alongside bombing and burning down private convenience stores.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
In response, the local MPs consulted and formally petitioned two parliamentary panels: the Committee on National Security, Human Rights, and Cultural Diversity, and the Committee on Decentralization, Local Administration, and Special Forms of Management. They demanded that relevant state agencies testify on prevention strategies and thoroughly investigate the controversial incident involving a military helicopter allegedly shooting at villagers in Chang Phueak subdistrict, Chanae district, Narathiwat.
Montien Songprom, MP for Chainat from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the security committee, received the petition personally. He announced that the committee will hold a special meeting on August 27 to summon six directly involved agencies for official clarification. He stressed that the committee operates without party divides, uniting members from the Prachachat, Klatatham, Bhumjaithai, and People's parties for the nation and its citizens.
Meanwhile, Kongkrit Chatsmalirat, MP for Ranong and head of the decentralization committee, stated that the panel will fast-track the investigation this month. He noted that the recent attacks deviated from typical insurgency tactics by directly targeting local administrative organizations, which work closest with grassroots communities, vowing close cooperation with the security committee to restore public confidence.
"Budget is likely not the issue, as multiple governments have allocated funds to solve the problem. Most importantly, relevant agencies must listen to the legislature and the voices of local citizens."
Kamolsak Leewamae, Narathiwat MP
While the insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces has persisted for over two decades through a security-centric lens, this unified bipartisan stance by all 14 local MPs marks a notable shift. By pushing local administrative impacts and civilian grievances onto the national legislative agenda, the lawmakers aim to bridge the gap between field security personnel and local residents, demanding greater accountability and local inclusion.
Kamolsak Leewamae, Narathiwat MP from the Prachachat Party, highlighted that this marks the first time MPs across all 13 constituencies and party-list representatives from the three southern border provinces have unitedly voiced their stance. He urged the public outside the region to consume media cautiously and avoid alienating locals, underscoring that residents were born there and wish to live in lasting peace.
Source: Matichon Politics
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