Wanno revealed that the unrest in the South was caused by the BRN group and emphasized that all parties should build trust. He said that political blame for the arson of the Tambon Administrative Organization has made people reluctant to share information out of fear of being seen as opposing sides. He advised the military to select personnel who truly understand the issues to work on solutions.
At 09:50 on 25 Aug 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Mr. Wan Muhamadnor Mata, Prime Minister's advisor and special representative for southern border problem-solving, said that after discussing with the Prime Minister, all sides agreed on the need for cooperation across all sectors. Integration has been insufficient, with different groups working separately and sometimes misjudging the situation. For example, the number of insurgents is limited, but the situation should not be underestimated because without security, investment and tourism will not develop. The incidents have multiple causes, with some guesses right and others wrong, such as assumptions that they relate to local elections or national election conflicts. He believes this is unlikely as politicians must care for the people. The arson of the Tambon Administrative Organization is self-defeating since everyone wants to be elected again. While politics cannot be ruled out entirely, proper investigation is needed rather than assumptions. Politicians are also hesitant to provide information or opinions. He stressed mutual trust is necessary because currently people are afraid to speak out, fearing that opposing security forces will label them as criminals or supporters of insurgents. Therefore, he advocated applying King Rama IX’s principles of understanding, access, and development to solve problems. Without this approach, development will not happen. The real issues must be addressed, not guessed, as the southern border situation differs from the Thai-Cambodian border due to its secretive insurgency nature. Using people who do not understand or cannot access the problems will make solutions difficult.
When asked if the BRN group was responsible, Mr. Wan Muhamadnor confirmed it was indeed their work but said if they want to talk, the door must be open under the Thai constitution. If there is genuine intent for peace, dialogue can happen. Regarding whether the incidents might be symbolic retaliation after authorities intensified measures, he said that might be partly true, but security forces must strengthen themselves to protect the area and population, including arresting lawbreakers involved in terrorism, smuggling, and drugs. He urged efforts to proceed fully. Asked if perpetrators fled to Malaysia, he said some did, and Malaysia is ready to cooperate if clear information is provided, as they also want peace. The Prime Minister emphasized cooperation and accurate assessment of incidents to find joint solutions. He sees the trend moving positively. The upcoming Cabinet meeting on the road will also discuss the southern border situation.
Mr. Wan Muhamadnor said that regarding peace talks, Mr. Thanat Suwannanon, Director of the National Intelligence Agency, indicated talks could be expedited but before formal negotiations, 1-2 rounds of technical-level discussions are needed, expected between late September and early October, to understand the causes of the incidents and bring the issue closer to reality. Then solutions can be considered. When asked if the Prime Minister discussed using KPIs to evaluate local officials' performance for faster progress, he said KPIs have been used but problems persist; however, KPIs should improve. Asked if lack of progress would have consequences, he said the Prime Minister, as head of government, must consider the causes. Regarding who might shirk responsibility, he declined to comment, focusing instead on moving forward to achieve success.