Thai FM Calls for Enhanced Cooperation With Malaysia on Border Security

Photo: Taiwan News

BANGKOK, 27 July 2026 — Thailand will convene a special government meeting this week to address the security situation in the country’s southern border provinces, with a focus on strengthening cooperation with Malaysia to prevent insurgents from using cross-border safe havens, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Monday.

Speaking at Government House, Sihasak said the meeting was necessary following recent violence in Thailand’s southern provinces and would involve discussions on cooperation with Malaysia, which shares a border with the conflict-affected region.

He said Thailand would ask Malaysia to continue working closely with Bangkok to prevent perpetrators from using Malaysian territory as a refuge.

Sihasak also said both governments have discussed the issue of dual nationality, describing it as a long-standing matter that was recently raised during talks between the prime ministers of Thailand and Malaysia. He said both sides were committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The minister said stability in Thailand’s southern border provinces was also important to Malaysia because of its implications for border security and economic development. He added that both countries hoped to promote development in border areas for their mutual benefit.

Sihasak reaffirmed that the Thai government considered resolving the conflict in the three southern border provinces a national priority and said authorities were continuing to assess the significance of recent security incidents.

Commenting on the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the main separatist group operating in Thailand’s deep south, Sihasak said the organization sought to demonstrate its existence through acts of violence.

“We know they exist, but we cannot accept violence,” he said.

Sihasak said the government remained committed to pursuing dialogue aimed at reducing violence but stressed that authorities must first investigate the circumstances surrounding recent attacks to determine whether they were linked to other factors.

He added that Thailand’s immediate priority was to prevent further violence while continuing discussions aimed at improving the security situation in the country’s southern border region.