What are the duties of the Internal Security Operations Command? Surveying the budget and strategic plans for quelling unrest in the South.
ISOC lacks notable achievements yet spends huge budgets. Prime Minister Anutin clearly stated it will not be dissolved, highlighting its continued importance to the government and military.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has recently come under scrutiny after MP Wan Muhamad Noor Matha from the Prachachart Party pointed out its lack of notable achievements, overlapping duties, and massive budget use. On 8 July 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed that ISOC will not be dissolved, emphasizing it remains a vital mechanism for the government and military in serving the people.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) was established under the Internal Security Act of 2008. It has authority and responsibility for maintaining internal security in the kingdom. ISOC is the main body integrating, directing, and overseeing operations to prevent and resolve internal security issues efficiently, ensuring peace and order for the public and national security. It also promotes public awareness of their duties to uphold and protect the nation, religion, and monarchy. ISOC emphasizes public participation in prevention and problem-solving and supports royal projects by applying the royal guidance of "Understanding, Accessibility, Development" and the "Sufficiency Economy Philosophy" as core operational principles.
Under the Internal Security Act of 2008, Section 7 defines the duties and powers of ISOC as follows.
1. Monitor, inspect, and assess potential internal security threats and report to the Cabinet for further action.
2. Direct internal security operations, including proposing operational plans and guidelines to the Cabinet for approval. Once approved, government agencies must follow these plans and guidelines.
3. Direct, coordinate, and support operations of relevant government agencies according to the plans and guidelines under point 2. The Cabinet may assign ISOC authority to oversee operations of these agencies as specified.
4. Promote public awareness of their duty to protect the nation, religion, and monarchy.
5. Carry out other duties as prescribed by law or assigned by the Cabinet, National Security Council, or Prime Minister.
According to service statistics via the E-Service channel in 2024, covering usage from October 2023 to September 2024, a total of 129 cases were handled: 10 complaints and grievances received, and 119 services provided through the national crisis management system/national security management system.
According to the fiscal year 2025 performance report, budget allocations for various projects are as follows.
1. Public Sector Personnel Plan (Security) received a budget of 744,308,200 baht, with actual spending of 709,877,639.3 baht.
2. Basic Security Plan received 156,803,800 baht, with spending of 153,104,826.44 baht.
3. Domestic Peace Strategy Plan received 31,560,700 baht, with spending of 31,501,548.85 baht.
4. Strategy Plan for Prevention and Resolution of Security Impact Issues received 4,369,179,300 baht, with spending of 4,346,723,226.15 baht.
5. Strategic Plan for Developing an Integrated Security Management Mechanism received 358,557,600 baht, with spending of 328,346,097.58 baht.
6. Integrated Plan for Prevention, Suppression, and Rehabilitation of Drug Abuse received 96,997,500 baht, with spending of 96,663,514.55 baht.
7. Integrated Plan for Solving Problems in the Southern Border Provinces received 1,330,910,400 baht, with spending of 1,291,268,702.56 baht.
Reference data from https://www.isoc.go.th/klb_about.php