Interior Ministry Escalates Southern Border Security to Highest Alert

On August 23, Interior Ministry Director General Noracha Kosasiwilai issued an urgent directive to provincial governors of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, and Songkhla, ordering them to raise security to the highest level under Level 3 emergency response protocols. The escalation follows multiple unrest incidents on the night of August 22 that threatened the safety and property of security personnel, administrators, and civilians in the area.

The directive requires provincial governors and district officers to coordinate security measures across all administrative tiers—from province to village. At the provincial level, governors must recall units to their bases, ensure personnel readiness, cancel leave, check weapons and equipment status, and increase security at key government sites and public gathering areas. District-level officials are instructed to coordinate between civilian and military authorities while mobilizing personnel, weapons, and vehicles in preparation for immediate action.

At the subdistrict and village levels, local officials must conduct patrols, inspections, and maintain order and security at important locations, with coordinated checkpoints to screen people and vehicles entering and leaving. All administrative personnel must maintain 24-hour communications and immediately report any incidents up the chain of command. Officials are directed to quickly assess situations, issue orders, and respond to all incidents at the highest readiness level.