On February 23, 2023, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra addressed the media during his visit to Narathiwat Province, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing peace and stability in Thailand's southern border areas. At Saman Suksa School, Thaksin, who now acts as the advisor to the ASEAN Chairman, expressed his desire to see lasting peace returned to the region, which has been troubled for over two decades.
Thaksin reflected on how the attitudes of the local populations have significantly improved, stating, "I am happy to see how the people's attitudes have improved significantly." This positive change is seen as pivotal for fostering reconciliation and cooperation among communities straddling the borders of Thailand and its neighboring countries.
During the announcement, he also expressed confidence about the current momentum toward peace, confidently proclaiming, "Within this year, we will see much clearer signs of progress and by next year, it should come to an end." His comments suggest optimism around the collaborative efforts with ASEAN countries, particularly Malaysia, as they work toward addressing and resolving longstanding issues.
The former prime minister, who has faced numerous challenges during his political career, noted the importance of dialogue with neighboring countries to establish peace. He stated, "I want to see lasting peace return to the three southern border provinces," reiteratively underscoring his commitment to support such discussions.
Thaksin's remarks come at a time when key figures like former Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla have committed their support, enhancing the cooperation pivotal for fostering regional dialogue. He mentioned specific roles foreign stakeholders could play: "There will be various parties from outside stepping up to help, and I believe all efforts will work toward finding conclusive resolutions."
Despite the positive sentiments, Thaksin maintains he does not desire to take active leadership roles, emphasizing, "I will try to stay away and just advise, but the officials must do their jobs directly." His unique position, having served as Prime Minister and now stepping back, highlights the importance of empowering local authorities to lead these discussions.
When asked about his involvement and whether he would take on roles directly associated with dialogue initiatives, Thaksin humorously declared, "No, I am too old for such roles now," pointing out both the difficulty of such active participation and his desire to act as merely an advisor.
Many observers and residents, familiar with his past governance, see Thaksin's involvement as hopeful. Local sentiment hints at his possible role as a beacon of hope for the region, as reflected on how past initiatives and experiences could facilitate current dialogues. Through shared experiences, Thaksin indicated, "We must discuss how adjustments can be made—today's attitudes among people here have eased significantly and such dialogues are fruitful. It can evoke peaceful cohabitant ideologies.
Thaksin's recent touching remarks resonate with hopes for poignant dialogue, emphasizing substantial collaborative work to harvest lasting peace and stability. He stated, "My hope lies within seeing good outcomes emerge from these discussions before the conclusion of this year, and I believe we can materialize expectations with optimism and good will from all parties."
This visit signifies more than mere political engagement; it showcases the gradual changes affecting social cohesion and highlights the commitment of esteemed individuals like Thaksin to enact peace. With Thaksin's positive insights and the potential for constructive political dialogue, the future of the southern border provinces may exhibit signs of peace, promising resolutions, and stability.