Bangkok: The Prime Minister delivered a policy speech aimed at addressing the challenges and fostering development in the southern border provinces, emphasizing the crucial link between security and economic growth. He directed all relevant units to integrate their efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational crime, ensuring that these areas are not left vulnerable.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a strategic meeting to outline policy guidelines for resolving issues and promoting development in the southern border provinces. The meeting, attended by heads of government agencies and related organizations, aimed to establish strategies for development and security in the region, following the Prime Minister's official visit to Malaysia.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the meeting was a continuation of discussions held during his two-day official visit to Malaysia, where he engaged with the Malaysian Prime Minister and his delegation on various matters. These discussions focused on security, peacebuilding, and connectivity between the two nations, as well as cooperation in economic, trade, and tourism sectors. The insights gained from these discussions will inform the development strategies and policies for the southern border region.
The Prime Minister emphasized the strategic importance of southern Thailand, not just as the country's southernmost point, but as a vital link with northern Malaysia and a gateway to the ASEAN region's economic, trade, and tourism networks. This connectivity has the potential to significantly enhance the region's economic value and generate substantial income for its residents. The Prime Minister's visit to Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province, underscored the area's potential in terms of economy, investment, and tourism, with Malaysian tourists being the top visitors to Thailand and Malaysian investment ranking among the highest. The trade value between Thailand and Malaysia is nearing US$30 billion, or approximately 1 trillion baht, highlighting its economic significance.
The Prime Minister stressed that any incident affecting the southern border region would lead to lost economic opportunities, deprive locals of income, and negatively impact the national economy. Thus, the government is committed to eliminating any barriers to improving the quality of life, expanding trade, and facilitating travel between the two countries.
He reiterated that as the economy grows, the state's capacity to maintain security must also be enhanced. This involves preventing and suppressing drug trafficking, illegal weapons, human trafficking, smuggling, transnational crime, money laundering, organized crime networks, and all threats. Economic development and security maintenance in the southern border region need to progress simultaneously.
The Prime Minister instructed provincial governors, heads of government departments, administrative officials, the military, police, district officers, and all relevant agencies to collaboratively address the issues in an integrated manner. The main mission is to ensure the utmost security for the lives and property of the people. The government will not tolerate any unrest, violence, bombings, or actions that instill fear.
He further directed all relevant provinces to integrate their efforts across the administrative, police, military, local government organizations, village headmen, village security teams, and the public. By linking databases between agencies as extensively as possible, efficient operations can be ensured, preventing any gaps that the government cannot access or oversee.