Thailand seeks extradition of insurgents wanted under Interpol Red Notices

Thailand will seek the extradition of wanted members of southern insurgent groups taking refuge in Malaysia who are the subject of Interpol Red Notices, so they can stand trial in Thailand.

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad said cooperation on the issue would be sought from Malaysia and was one of six measures agreed at an NSC meeting today.

The Thai military has already launched a crackdown on insurgent groups in the restive southern region following a deadly attack by a group of 14 insurgents in Ra-ngae district of Narathiwat on July 22, in which five paramilitary rangers were killed and six civilians, including a 10-year-old boy, were injured.

Another measure agreed at today's meeting calls for stricter enforcement of the law against armed insurgents operating in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, as well as in some districts of Songkhla.

Border crossings between Thailand and Malaysia will also be monitored more closely, particularly along porous sections of the border that are not regularly patrolled, to prevent insurgents and their supporters from fleeing to Malaysia or re-entering Thailand to carry out further attacks.

The NSC reaffirmed that peace dialogue with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) should continue, but said the substance of the talks should be reviewed in light of the situation on the ground.

It was also agreed that more channels should be opened to encourage insurgents to abandon armed violence and return to normal civilian life.

The meeting also discussed the spread of fake news aimed at fuelling misunderstanding and division among people in the restive southern region.