Chuan Leekpai debated a motion on unrest in the southern border provinces, expressing concern over its escalation. He pointed out that policy mistakes in 2001 that involved targeted killings paved the way for the rise of the RKK insurgent group. He warned the Cabinet not to sow division.
16 Sep 2026 GMT+7 Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai, Member of Parliament from the Democrat Party and former Speaker of the House, spoke at the parliamentary session supporting an urgent verbal motion to address unrest in the southern border provinces. He reviewed past policy mistakes and offered recommendations to extinguish the southern conflict, also cautioning ministers to act with maturity in their official duties.
He began by highlighting the violence in the southern border provinces and parts of Songkhla, noting that since 4 Jan 2004, over 7,000 people have died. He traced the lessons back to the Hatyai train station bombing on 7 Apr 2001, marking the start of a lax policy ordering the elimination of 18 ringleaders at a rate of 10 per month. This led to abductions and killings and ultimately gave rise to the new insurgent group RKK, which conducted ambushes and culminated in the theft of over 413 guns from Pi Lheng military camp in Cho Airong district, Narathiwat province, escalating the violence to the present day.
Chuan stressed that the most sustainable solution is to adhere to the royal initiative "Understand, Access, Develop" by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX), who successfully resolved conflicts, developed the area, and fostered harmony between Buddhists and Muslims for over 40 years. He questioned whether the current government truly understands this policy’s intent, noting it is listed in government policy point 9.3 but the response to parliamentary inquiries was that they are not yet ready to answer.
He also referred to Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s tenure as Minister of Tourism and Sports, citing an incident during an inspection visit to Trang province where Phiphat criticized Chuan for serving as Prime Minister for over six years without developing Trang. Chuan clarified that as Prime Minister of the entire country, development must be evenly distributed nationwide, citing projects like expanding four-lane roads, dual-track railways, Suvarnabhumi Airport, student loans, and school milk programs, rather than favoring one’s home province. He warned the Prime Minister to instruct Cabinet ministers to act with maturity during inspections and avoid creating political division.
. Chuan also noted that the government must clearly define whether the southern problem is a domestic or international issue. If domestic, the government should trust its own capabilities and resolve it independently without underestimating its own people. He further proposed reviving cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework to build lasting peace and prosperity in the southern border region.