Tactical Measures and the Quest for Peace: Community-Based Security in Southern Thailand

Abstract

The ongoing unrest in Thailand's Southern Border Provinces (SBP) remains a complex socio-security issue, significantly impacting the lives, property, and inter-communal relationships of both Buddhist and Muslim populations in the region. This research endeavors to assess the efficacy of "community-level security measures" within the unique socio-political context of the SBP. The study's objectives are threefold: 1) to develop a prototype for prevention and self-conduct in the event of unrest in the SBP; 2) to establish a model area for monitoring, prevention, resolution, or appropriate self-conduct during community-level unrest; and 3) to develop a communication system for surveillance, prevention, and assistance or self-preservation during adverse events. This study employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, complemented by in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. The participants comprised 430 individuals, including community leaders, government officials, and residents from the three southern border provinces and certain districts of Songkhla province. The findings indicate that the development of prevention and security surveillance strategies significantly enhanced the knowledge, understanding, and coping skills of the populace in responding to unrest. Notably, Pattani and Yala provinces exhibited the highest average learning scores post-training. Furthermore, the creativity of prototype areas has fostered concrete collaborative networks between government agencies and local communities, and the "Border Peace" application was developed as a community safety innovation, designed for communication, incident reporting, and providing survival guidance during emergencies. Users have expressed high satisfaction with its accessibility, usability, and benefits to the community. This integration of security measures with the social and cultural context of the specific southern border region differentiates it from conventional security approaches. This innovative contribution is instrumental in establishing a sustainable community surveillance system and serves as a tangible model for promoting a peaceful society.