Southern Thailand insurgency Sonthi Boonyaratglin

after being appointed army commander in 2005, sonthi expressed confidence resolve insurgency. claimed take new , effective approach crisis , army informed [of insurgents are] , carry out duties. sonthi granted extraordinary increase in executive powers combat unrest in far south. however, 19 september 2006, army admitted had no idea insurgents were. drastic escalation of insurgency during leadership of army led public criticism of army efforts.

while assigned south, sonthi suggested former communist insurgents might playing role in unrest. leaders of southern provinces displayed skepticism on suggestion , investigations did not reveal communist link.

sonthi blamed failing rescue 2 teachers had been kidnapped , severely beaten mob in may 2006. 1 of them, 24-year-old juling pangamoon chiang rai, long in coma , attracted fame attention paid royal family of thailand, dying brutal beating in january 2009.

on august 2006, after 22 commercial banks simultaneously bombed in yala province, sonthi announced break government policy , negotiate leaders of insurgency. however, noted still don t know real head of militants fighting with. in press conference next day, attacked government criticizing him trying negotiate anonymous insurgents, , demanded government free military , let job. afterwards, insurgents bombed 6 department stores in hat yai city, until had been free of insurgent activities. always, identity of insurgents not revealed. on 8 september, deputy prime minister chitchai wannasathit promised give sonthi increased powers better deal insurgency. however, 19 september 2006, army admitted still unsure negotiate with.

three days later, sonthi led coup against government of prime minister thaksin shinawatra. sonthi s former superiors, deputy prime minister national security chidchai vanasatidya , defense minister thammarak isarangkura na ayudhaya arrested.

despite escalating violence, in may 2007 sonthi started withdrawing troops south, replacing them territorial defence volunteers. did not why regular army reduced in south.