Policy and Project in Reducing Unrest Situation in The Southern Border Provinces of Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of peace-oriented policies and projects/activities to reduce unrest and violence in Thailand's southern border regions. This study incorporated both quantitative and qualitative research methods. To perform quantitative research, the opinions of 960 persons in the southern border provinces were surveyed. In-depth interviews with 36 religious’ leaders, local leaders/government officers, and female leaders in the southern border regions of Thailand were used to conduct qualitative study. The collection of data was undertaken in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla. The evaluation of government-implemented policies/activities/projects to minimize violence and unrest in the southern border regions of Thailand, based on five criteria of the evaluation framework, including relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, outcome, and sustainability. The results demonstrated that the implementation of peace-related policies, programs, and activities in the southern border provinces from 2016 to 2019 was successful. Unrest decreased in the southern border provinces of the region. People in the neighborhood gain a small amount of trust in the authorities, but they still cannot be trusted. Therefore, there remained uneasiness and suspicion towards government officials.