Pallop Pinmanee

VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH; Panlop turns down offer to lead key unit
22 June 2004
Bangkok Post

Peace work command centre `in disarray'

Wassana Nanuam

Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's attempt to beef up the Peace Building Command for the Southern Border Provinces (PBCSBC), set up to streamline cooperation among various government agencies, faces an uphill task now that a key candidate has refused to head the command.

Gen Panlop Pinmanee, deputy director of the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc), has for the second time turned down an invitation to take charge of the operation.

``Under no circumstances will I go back down South to head the command,'' said Gen Panlop when asked if the deputy premier had requested he help supervise the PBCSBC, reportedly now in disarray following its establishment in April.

Gen Panlop said, however, that he would rethink his decision if he received a direct order from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Gen Panlop said he had been deeply hurt after Gen Chavalit ordered his immediate removal from the area on April 28, after hundreds of rebels in the southernmost provinces launched an assault that eventually led to the deaths of 106 militants and five members of the security forces.

Gen Chavalit had accused Gen Panlop of disobeying his instructions to use peaceful means to end the siege at Pattani's Krue Sae Mosque, where 32 militants were killed in a shoot-out.

Gen Panlop is widely viewed as the most suitable candidate for the post.

``The person in charge must have the requisite seniority and charisma otherwise it's unlikely the command will receive cooperation and respect from other agencies,'' noted a southern security officer.

Since Gen Panlop's removal, the PBCSBC has been supervised by Lt-Gen Rewat Rattanapongsai, an army specialist said to be incapable of coordinating work with officials from other ministries.

``He is too junior to be in charge of this operation. This situation will only cause further confusion among officials in the area,'' noted a veteran official from the South.

There have been reports of chaos and confusion at the command's headquarters at Sirindhorn camp in Pattani's Yarang district.

``Deep in my heart there is still a scar left by the incident. What Gen Chavalit did to me was so destructive,'' said Gen Panlop, adding that he had been very downcast after Gen Chavalit's decision.

Gen Panlop, who came under intense criticism for his tough measures in dealing with militants at Krue Sae Mosque, was defiant yesterday saying that the violent crackdown was necessary otherwise the situation would have escalated and led to more bloodshed.

``I risked my life to be on the spot at the time so that we could swiftly tackle the problem but all I got in return was Gen Chavalit's order calling for me to get out of the area within 24 hours,'' said Gen Panlop, who is now in charge of Isoc's operations combating drugs and other illegal activities in the country.