Pattani: General Nattapol Nakphanit, the Deputy Minister of Defense and acting Minister of Defense, has made his inaugural visit to the southern border provinces since assuming his current role. The visit aims to advance the Internal Security Operations Command’s (ISOC) plan to transfer control of the three southern border provinces and four districts in Songkhla to the Ministry of Interior by 2027.
According to Thai News Agency, General Nattapol’s itinerary included a visit to Ingkhayutthaborihan Camp in Nong Chik District, Pattani Province. Here, he engaged in discussions with the commander of ISOC Region 4 Forward Command, emphasizing his commitment to resolving issues in the southern region through collaboration with various stakeholders.
General Nattapol highlighted his longstanding involvement with the southern region’s affairs, dating back to his roles as ISOC secretary in 2017 and National Security Council secretary in 2020. His current assignment as an advisor to the Prime Minister with ISOC responsibilities underscores his dedication to addressing the region’s challenges.
The meeting focused on sharing information and fostering dialogue among officials, with an emphasis on ensuring the safety of residents’ lives and property in the affected areas. General Nattapol stressed the importance of assessing the readiness of provinces to facilitate the planned administrative transition by 2027. Despite uncertainty regarding this timeline, he expressed optimism about the strengthened cooperation among the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and Royal Thai Police.
General Nattapol’s visit also included engagements with local religious communities. After meeting with ISOC Region 4 Forward Command, he visited Wat Tanin Narasomsorn in Mueang District to connect with Thai Buddhists, followed by a session with the Islamic Committee of Pattani Province.
The visit underscores the ongoing efforts to align military, administrative, and police functions to achieve the objective of transferring responsibility for the southern border provinces to the Ministry of Interior.