Security Laws and The Movement of Civil Societies in 3 Provinces of Thailand’s Deep South

Abstract

          The purposes of this research were 1) to study the content of 3 security laws, Martial law B.E. 2457, Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, B.E. 2548, and Internal Security Act B.E. 2551, 2) to study the role of civil societies in the area of the three southern provinces with the promotion of legal channels and Martial law enforcement, and 3) to present the guildline of law and the usage of Martial law enforcement related to the democracy system, public security, and human security.

          The result indicated that, among the security laws, Martial law B.E. 2457 gave the special authorization at the highest level. The provision of the content of Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situation, B.E. 2548 to declare the emergency situation was authorized by the prime minister along with the agreement from the council of ministers. For the Internal Security Act B.E. 2551, the provision of the content authorized the lower authorities. However, the process and authority of the government, from both the center and the authorized area, affected the human security and human rights in the authorized area while the civil society, who promoted peace and the development of impartiality in the authorized area, significantly grew. Not only the civil society had more cooperation but also, remarkably, the civil society council of southern border provinces, women civil society, and Southern Paralegal Advocacy Network (SPAN) were established.

          The suggestion for further work were 1) the government must authorize the law impartially considering the equal right, 2) recheck the Martial law and the process of using the Martial law in the authorized area considering the literal necessaries in the area, 3) adjust the structure of the department responded with the Martial law, both inquiry officers and public prosecutor, by qualifying the person with knowledge and experience of Martial law to officiate along with the power over the department of military, and 4) the government should provide the operation promoting protection of liberty and human security.