The Security Committee has summoned six agencies to explain the situation in the three southern border provinces following the unrest on August 27, believing the incidents aim to discredit the government amid intensified crackdowns on illegal activities in the region.
At 11:00 a.m. on 24 August 2026 at the Parliament, Mr. Montien Songpracha, MP for Chainat from the Bhumjaithai Party and chairman of the State Security, Thai Border Affairs, National Strategy, and National Reform Committee, addressed the simultaneous unrest at 76 locations in the southern border provinces. He acknowledged that authorities had no advance warning, and the incidents occurring simultaneously across four provinces suggest a deliberate signal, possibly timed around significant days to provoke questions or create media attention. As committee chairman, he expressed concern for local residents and condemned terrorists for using innocent civilians as victims. For the committee meeting on 27 August, six agencies will be invited to provide information: the National Security Council (NSC), Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, Provincial Police Region 9 Commander, and the National Intelligence Agency. This aims to review intelligence strategies and improve peacekeeping efficiency through unified cooperation to restore safety for residents in the southern border provinces.
Mr. Montien said that the unrest in the southern border provinces has lasted 22 years without a single peaceful year. He identified four main causes: 1. narcotics, 2. smuggling, 3. annual regional budgets amounting to tens of billions of baht, and 4. separatist movements. He stressed that dialogue should be based on reason and that incidents causing harm to innocent civilians and officials are unacceptable. The recent events, where perpetrators remain at large, are inadequate and require urgent improvements in intelligence and other areas. The Prime Minister has emphasized the need to find out exactly what happened.
Mr. Peerapol Kanokwanlai, party-list MP from the Economic Party and the committee's spokesperson, said the incidents negatively affect the economy. Terrorists target economic stability and public trust in the government. He identified three causes: 1. generational transition within the BRN (Barisan Revolusi Nasional), 2. ongoing budget considerations, and 3. intensified crackdowns on narcotics and illegal activities. Terrorists aim to create a narrative that discredits the government. The priority is to clarify the root causes.