Tawee led a Prachachat Party delegation to visit Den Tokmeena, recalling their bond as a "spiritual bridge" in the southern border. He revealed that Den has served as a compass for justice policies since the SAO era (Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre). The text uses the acronym ศอ.บต., which is translated as SAO for clarity.
On 14 Jun 2026 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Tawee Sodsong, leader of the Prachachat Party and adviser to the House of Representatives' Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, led a delegation to Pattani Hospital to visit and encourage Den Tokmeena, former Deputy Minister of Interior and former elected Pattani senator. Den is a senior politician and revered figure among people in the southern border provinces. Pol. Col. Tawee also greeted and encouraged local people visiting the patient and the correctional officers attending the ill inmate in a friendly manner.
Pol. Col. Tawee said that this visit was not merely a customary courtesy to a senior politician but reflected a deep bond in historical, justice, and peacebuilding dimensions they share over many years. Den Tokmeena is regarded as a key historical pillar of the south, being the son of Haji Sulong Abdulkadir, a Malay spiritual leader. Den's political career included important roles such as Deputy Minister of Public Health (1990-1991 under Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan), Deputy Minister of Interior (1992-1994 under Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai), multiple terms as Pattani MP, elected Pattani senator, and Secretary-General of the Central Islamic Committee of Thailand.
Pol. Lt. Col. Tawee said that since he became Secretary-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SAO) in the past, he placed great importance on the "historical wounds." He approached the Tokmeena family with humility to signal that the new Thai state is ready to listen and restore legitimacy to the area's history. This made Den a crucial spiritual bridge between the Thai state and local people.
Politically, Den was one of the founders of the "Wadah" group alongside Wan Muhammad Nor Matha. This political group is the only one in history that united the voices and negotiating power of Thai Muslims across the three southern border provinces in the House of Representatives. When Pol. Col. Tawee joined the Prachachat Party alongside Wadah leaders, Den stood as a "pillar" and master teacher of local political doctrine.
During the SAO's efforts to promote peace talks and military-led political policies, Pol. Col. Tawee supported a 7.7 million baht budget project to renovate the "Haji Sulong" house and mosque. The aim was to develop it as a modern Patani history learning center, preserving traditional Malay architectural features as fully as possible, with the Tokmeena family entrusted as caretakers.
During the visit, Den Tokmeena expressed gratitude and joy towards Pol. Col. Tawee and the Prachachat Party team. They exchanged greetings and handshakes in a warm atmosphere. Jaturot Iamsopha, known as "S.J. Boy," welcomed the group. The discussion covered political dimensions at local and national levels, including planning a biography book on important local figures for future generations. Pol. Col. Tawee also praised Den Tokmeena's biography and commended Dr. Petchdao Tokmeena (his daughter), former party-list MP, as a quality politician.
In the conversation, Pol. Col. Tawee reflected on an interesting point: “The historical events involving Haji Sulong in the past bear similarities to the political situation and dimensions concerning Kamolsak Leewamo, Narathiwat MP from the Prachachat Party (chairman of the House Committee on Law, who actively investigates rights violations and security cases in the area), which represents a significant testing path.”
Meanwhile, Jaturot Iamsopha, or S.J. Boy, added that this year marks the 72nd anniversary of Haji Sulong's disappearance on 13 August. At a recent meeting in Bangkok, the issue of MP Kamolsak was raised, emphasizing the key phrase: "The masterminds must be brought to justice for success to be achieved."
