US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK4864

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 004864 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PTER, TH, Southern Thailand 
SUBJECT: THAKSIN AND NRC HEAD ANAND TO DISCUSS ON TV 
SOUTHERN VIOLENCE AND NEXT STEPS BY THE RTG 
 
REF: (A) BANGKOK 4697 (B) BANGKOK 4653 
 
1.  (U)  Summary:  On July 28 Prime Minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra and National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) head 
and former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun will discuss on 
national television the ongoing violence in Thailand's south, 
the RTG's Emergency Decree and the NRC's proposals to end the 
troubles.  On July 26, the Cabinet accepted a list of 14 
short-term measures submitted by the NRC to address the 
southern violence .  Thaksin has indicated that some of the 
suggestions will be more difficult to implement than others. 
The degree to which Thaksin and Anand can meld their views 
will have a significant bearing on how the RTG proceeds in 
addressing the very complicated situation in the deep south. 
End Summary. 
 
JOINT TELEVISION DISCUSSION FOCUSES NATION ON SOUTH 
 
2.  (U)  On July 28 Prime Minister Thaksin and National 
Reconciliation Commission (NRC) head and former Prime 
Minister Anand Panyarachun will discuss on national 
television the violence in Thailand's south, the RTG's 
Emergency Decree and the NRC's proposals to end the troubles. 
 The broadcast will feature two strong political 
personalities who not infrequently have been at odds over the 
best approach to the southern problem.  As such, it is being 
widely anticipated.  Most interlocutors with whom we have 
spoken see the public discussion of the ongoing turmoil in 
the southern provinces as a welcome new factor to address the 
southern situation.  Opposition Democrat Party Leader Abhisit 
Vejjajiva, for example, quickly voiced his support for 
Thaksin and Anand's joint appearance before the public. 
 
NRC PROPOSALS GIVEN TO GOVERNMENT 
 
3.  (U)  On July 26, the Cabinet accepted a list of 14 
short-term measures designed to address the southern violence 
submitted by the NRC.  These points include: 
 
-- Reapply King Rama VI's policy for the Pattani region, 
dated July 6, 1923, which "respects cultural differences." 
 
-- Set up a national committee for judiciary procedure in 
order to examine the investigations that have taken place 
since the current spate of violence in the three southernmost 
border provinces (Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala) began in 
January 4, 2004; monitor the development of the prosecutions. 
 
-- Allow persons arrested or detained under Section 11 (1) of 
the Public Administration on Emergency Situation Decree 
access to their lawyers within 48 hours. 
 
-- Employ forensic science procedures in criminal 
investigations in the affected areas in order to increase the 
efficiency of the state's prosecution process with 
transparency and justice. 
 
-- Appoint local community, Islamic and Buddhist leaders to a 
government committee on reducing the violence. 
 
-- All firearms should be regarded as illegal in the three 
southernmost borders provinces, except for possession by 
security forces. 
 
-- Install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in public places 
throughout the three affected southern provinces in order to 
obtain evidence of crimes by the instigators. 
 
-- Move entertainment establishments away from community 
areas, religious institutions, schools and youth recreation 
centers. 
 
-- Allow local communities to give first-had accounts of 
violent incidents. 
 
-- Set up village defense volunteer units as grassroots 
operation units.  These units should consist of Interior 
Ministry officials, soldiers, police, and territory defense 
volunteers. 
 
-- Set up community peace committees, consisting of community 
leaders, such as Imams, Islamic religious teachers, village 
chiefs, and chairpersons of Tambon (local administrative 
unit) Administration Organizations (TAO), as well as army and 
police officials. 
 
-- Support students demonstrating for peace. 
 
-- Install security alarms and provide protection for all 
schools. 
 
-- Allow teachers in the affected areas to assist in setting 
up these school safety systems. 
 
EMERGENCY DECREE TO MESH WITH NRC'S PROPOSALS? 
 
4.  (SBU)  Though his Cabinet has accepted the NRC proposals, 
Thaksin warned that some of the suggestions will be difficult 
to implement right away.  He specifically noted that 
"disarming the public" in the affected areas was a problem 
and appeared to indicate that he would not impose this 
measure immediately.  Thaksin told reporters on July 27 that 
reconciliation alone cannot halt the unrest and that tough 
laws (read the Emergency Decree) must remain as a "necessary 
evil." 
 
HOPE FOR CLEAR DIRECTION 
 
5.  (SBU)  In Thaksin and Anand, the Thai public will be able 
to see two powerful poles of thought discuss their approaches 
to deal with the ongoing crisis in Thailand's deep southern 
provinces.  Thaksin has made clear his belief that bringing 
security to the affected areas is his foremost priority, 
whereas Anand has consistently maintained that an 
overemphasis on security without addressing other factors 
risks exacerbating the situation.  Both are strong political 
personalities who are not likely to hold back in putting 
their views across.  The degree to which Thaksin and Anand 
can meld their views will have a definite impact on the 
future direction of RTG policy in dealing with its troubled 
southern provinces. 
BOYCE