Bangkok: Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, has opened the door for peace talks in the southern border provinces of Thailand, issuing a stern ultimatum to halt ongoing violence. He warned that if the unrest continues, the state will intensify measures to protect its citizens fully.

According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister addressed the ongoing unrest in several areas of the three southern border provinces, revealing that intelligence reports from the Royal Thai Army, the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), and the ISOC Region 4 Forward Command were discussed. Anutin also spoke with the commander of the 4th Army Region, emphasizing that recent operations have been focused on bringing lawbreakers to justice through asset seizures and a crackdown on illegal activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking, and smuggling.

The Prime Minister explained that while there have been retaliatory measures from opposing forces, the government's approach remains unchanged. He reassured that intelligence gathering continues unabated, and all illegal activities are being dealt with rigorously. Anutin highlighted that despite the challenges, the government's commitment to suppressing illegal activities remains resolute.

Anutin also addressed concerns regarding intelligence reports and the perceived lack of advance notice. He clarified that the intelligence system has been in place consistently and that the unrest aimed more at causing disruption than taking lives. He reiterated that these actions do not warrant a change in operational strategies, as the government continues to pursue peace negotiations. Anutin stressed that negotiations should occur in a violence-free environment, but if violence persists, the government will continue to protect the public and counteract those threatening the nation's safety and security.

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