Pol. Col. Tawee led Yala Prachachart Party election candidates to meet with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and religious leaders to propose a new formula to quell unrest in the South, advocating for abandoning reliance on government agencies and highlighting the role of the community. Meanwhile, businesspeople urged the government to resolve Betong airport issues and support sport tourism to attract international funds.
On 27 Jan 2026 GMT+7, at Suwanros Café Bistro and Bar in Betong district, Yala province, Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, leader of the Prachachart Party and former Minister of Justice, along with Abdulayi Sameang, candidate for the 3rd constituency of the Prachachart Party, met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, tourism associations, entrepreneurs, businesspeople, religious leaders, and local residents to hear suggestions and present policies for developing the southern border provinces.
Pol. Col. Tawee emphasized that resolving the unrest requires a shift in mindset, where the community plays a central role in decision-making and problem-solving instead of relying solely on inquiries or reports from government agencies.
“Security and the economy are inseparable. Even if incidents have decreased statistically, a single event, such as arson at a gas station, immediately undermines tourist confidence. Therefore, the government must not only strengthen security measures but also prioritize sustainable administration and development of the area concurrently,” he stated.
During the discussion, local business leaders highlighted four major issues affecting Betong’s economic growth: the operation of Betong airport and its airline services; the crisis regarding fuel supply points; operators proposed establishing a direct aviation fuel supply at Betong airport to reduce the burden on airlines that currently must reserve large fuel quantities from the origin, which is an implicit cost making operations unprofitable.
They also mentioned Easy Airline as a dedicated carrier, maintaining service despite low passenger numbers on some flights to connect the region and serve emergencies. On international tourism connections, they stressed improving border checkpoints linking to Malaysia and Indonesia. The same business leader noted that if high-end tourists could charter flights directly to Betong, it would better demonstrate the area's safety than general promotions, supporting the development of landmarks and world-class events.
Furthermore, they praised the success of the Skywalk, which originated from local demand, and the Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB trail running event that attracts runners worldwide, generating continuous hotel bookings. They also promoted sport tourism and proposed government support to position Betong as a center for large-scale sports events to attract affluent quality tourists.
At the meeting's conclusion, Pol. Col. Tawee, wearing a white shirt with number 33, reaffirmed the Prachachart Party’s readiness to represent Southern people and drive these policies forward. Business representatives expressed hope the party would gain the opportunity to increase bargaining power in regional development and transform Betong into a truly international tourist city.