"Opening the door to change is better than confrontation" - Security officials reveal peaceful negotiation timeline for Ismaae's surrender on 4 arrest warrants
A security fugitive wanted on four arrest warrants surrendered peacefully to authorities in southern Thailand after nearly five hours of negotiations with community leaders and officials on Monday evening.
"Opening the door to change is better than confrontation," said Lieutenant Colonel Ekwattid Chobchoob Phon, deputy spokesperson for the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front, revealing the law enforcement timeline in the case of Ismaae, wanted on four security-related arrest warrants, who decided to surrender to authorities to enter the justice system through peaceful means.
The sequence of events began at 4:25 p.m. when officials were informed of a suspect hiding in a rented house on Soi 14, behind Municipal School 5.
At 7:20 p.m., officers cordoned off the area and coordinated with community leaders and local administrators to facilitate understanding and discussion.
At 8:45 p.m., officials began negotiation efforts, requesting the suspect's cooperation for the safety of all parties involved.
By 9:06 p.m., the suspect's wife emerged and presented herself to authorities. At 9:33 p.m., Ismaae decided to surrender following successful peaceful negotiations.
Throughout the operation, security agencies operated under the principles of "negotiation, building understanding, and providing an opportunity to re-enter the justice system" while carefully enforcing the law, upholding human rights principles, and prioritizing everyone's safety, ultimately resulting in Ismaae's voluntary surrender.
The deputy spokesperson thanked all sectors including religious leaders, local administrators, the public, and security personnel for their continuous cooperation in using peaceful methods and dialogue, successfully restoring the fugitive's confidence in the justice system.
This reflects that "creating spaces of understanding" remains an important approach to resolving situations in Thailand's southern border provinces.
Officials reaffirmed their readiness to ensure fairness for all who decide to surrender and enter the legal process, adhering to principles of justice, transparency, and peaceful resolution to build sustainable peace in the southern border region.
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Front requests public cooperation. Anyone with information or suspicious individuals in the area can contact the command's hotline at 1341 or local task force units 24/7.
Additionally, those who assist wrongdoers through various means such as harboring, providing shelter, or supplying food will face criminal charges under the Criminal Code Section 189, punishable by imprisonment not exceeding 2 years, a fine not exceeding 40,000 baht, or both.
