Abhisit says PM should take key role in South
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should play a central role in overseeing security operations and development projects in the violence-plagued far South to ensure a unified approach, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.
- Published: 17/09/2012 at 12:00 AM
- Writer: Pradit Ruangdit
Mr Abhisit made the statement Sunday before Democrat MPs are due to meet government ministers tomorrow to propose a set of measures to solve the southern violence.
He said Ms Yingluck should not delegate the tasks tackling southern unrest to too many people, as it could create confusion.
He said the prime minister still plays a central role in overseeing tasks which involve security operations and development projects. "Confusion will ensue if responsibilities are given to many people," he said.
Mr Abhisit said it was too early to conclude that the surrender of suspected militants was a government success.
He said many insurgent groups which do not turn themselves in could still pose potential problems.
Mr Abhisit said it is up to the government whether to make use of the information.
He said the party had submitted several proposals to solve the southern problem but the government did not heed them.
The Democrat Party has come up with nine proposals to be presented to the government tomorrow.
They include stopping deploying troops from other regions to the far South and using troops from the Fourth Army, which oversees security in the area. Another idea is the government should make sure victims of the unrest receive the same compensation as those affected by political unrest in Bangkok between 2005 and 2010.
The Democrats oppose a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung to set up a special administrative system for Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat in which the governors of the three southernmost provinces would be elected and have some degree of autonomy.
The Democrats said the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre should be a key agency in administering justice while the Internal Security Operations Command takes charge of security operations.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 17/09/2012 at 03:59 PM
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I would also like to add that i believe they should not go there to give the impression that they have the answers, but should instead invite and listen too as many Thai/Malay and locals involved in the crisis as possible, Then seek a way to move forward.
- Discussion 2 : 17/09/2012 at 03:51 PM
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Lets hope Yingluck and Abhisit can put behind them the baggage they have both had to shouldered in their terms as PMs, and put some real effort into kick-starting something for the Thai/Malays living in the south.
- Discussion 3 : 17/09/2012 at 01:18 PM
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Come with some good suggestions lnsted of complain PM. You must go "Hand in Hand" to solve this problem.
- Discussion 4 : 17/09/2012 at 12:32 PM
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And what have the Thaksin,Samak,Somchai,Yingluck Gov. done to solve the horrific situation in the south of TH ?
Right: Nothing,nothing,nothing,nothing. And Thaksin created the southern problems as they are today.4 Gov fr. 1 party and the result is: 0, 0, 0, 0
- Discussion 5 : 17/09/2012 at 12:31 PM
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Dis 3: Abhisit could have done more for the southern provinces,but thanks to your hero in Dubai, he was busy fighting terrorists in Bangkok.
I wonder what the PM could achieve,if she real had the power for herself,without interference by big brother.
- Discussion 6 : 17/09/2012 at 12:23 PM
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It is unfortunate that Ahbisit best proposals are just proposing the opposite of what the government proposed.
- Discussion 7 : 17/09/2012 at 12:22 PM
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It would be a great thing for Thailand if ALL political parties could view the southern unrest as a shared responsibility and not as an opportunity for political point scoring.
- Discussion 8 : 17/09/2012 at 11:48 AM
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Why didnt he take key role when he was PM?
- Discussion 9 : 17/09/2012 at 11:16 AM
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ex-premier pretty sure that he has a lot of say, but definitely he got backfired. if he knows so well now and why didn't he he relied back then while he still sat in office as a PM. I supposed knew but ignored and neglected back then instead he got pushed around by the PAD to create was scenario at the border to confuse the public about his internal problem which he unable to solve the most southern provinces. the current government has spent a lot of time and money to clean up the many messes that left by the last administration. YingLuck has done her utmost to serve the people and the country so far as I observed. just purely my opinion. should let her finish her term.
- Discussion 10 : 17/09/2012 at 11:07 AM
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She should be hands on with all things governemnt .She is supposed to be PM .Everyone knows that isnt the case though . Maybe someone could explain that to Thaksin .
- Discussion 11 : 17/09/2012 at 11:00 AM
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I don't think it is not necessary for him to discuss matters outside the meeting.
- Discussion 12 : 17/09/2012 at 10:04 AM
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The south problem also didn't get any better when Abhisit was the PM. If he knew so well, why hadn't he solved it back then? I do mostly agree with his suggestions.
- Discussion 13 : 17/09/2012 at 07:45 AM
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hillfarang - "Here, overall, I agree with Mark, especially about the need for a well-coordinated role by the PM. The approach cannot be delegated to many."
Trumpets sound, harps play and the world stops spinning. Well said.
- Discussion 14 : 17/09/2012 at 06:55 AM
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Well what to say other than Abhisit has always been good at making statements, but in real life nothing was done. This government is making an effort and hopefully so steps forward will be made here and there, I don't think that it will be with Abhisit's help though, but would like to be proven wrong by reality.
- Discussion 15 : 17/09/2012 at 06:19 AM
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Here, overall, I agree with Mark, especially about the need for a well-coordinated role by the PM. The approach cannot be delegated to many.
However, to give the South some autonomy in local affairs through elections may not be a bad idea. It could diffuse some of the complaints.
- Discussion 16 : 17/09/2012 at 04:55 AM
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The Dems are right to focus on the fact that Yingluck has no clue as to how to govern Thailand.
If a country has no definite leader then all the power-hungry subordinates (Chalerm, Sukumpol, Kittiratt) think they can take matters into their own hands.
Thailand is stuck in a hole right now. It needs a leader to lift it out.
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