An Analysis of Internal Security Policy on the Southern Border Provinces of Thailand Between 2004 – 2013.

Abstract

Abstract

                  This study aims to analyse internal stability policy applied to alleviate the problematic situation in the southern border provinces between 2004 and 2013.  The research methodology is qualitative.  Key informants included government officers, both Buddhist and Muslim citizens, and four main leader groups, totaling 46 people.  The results of the research indicate that internal stability policy formulation in alleviating the situation in the southern border provinces started to shift from a formerly more top-down approach to a more bottom-up orientation with more consideration given to the local context of the problem.  This has led to a more positive trend towards problem resolution in the three southern border provinces, although issues still exist with the specification of local integration mechanisms.  There should therefore be clear specification of local integration mechanisms between relevant organs at both the policy and local application level in internal stability policy formulation.