World

Thailand sees positive progress in efforts to end southern conflict

The official said he plans to meet state agencies to discuss the lifting after a mobile cabinet meeting in Songkhla on February 17–18 decided the enforcement of martial law in four districts of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (Photo: The Nation)
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (Photo: The Nation)

Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government is set to lift martial law in four districts of three southern border provinces, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on April 19.

The official said he plans to meet state agencies to discuss the lifting after a mobile cabinet meeting in Songkhla on February 17–18 decided the enforcement of martial law in four districts of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces, the Bangkok Post reported.

He confirmed that Thailand is actively working on the issue, and that his upcoming visit to the region will involve discussions with business operators, district chiefs, police officers, and personnel from the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 Forward Command.

Phumtham stressed that no final decision has been made regarding the composition of Thailand’s peace talks committee, stating that the strategic direction for the three southern border provinces is still under consideration./.

VNA
#Thailand to lift martial law in four southern districts #Thailand southern conflict Thailand
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Thai police seize a large amount of SIM cards from suspected scam gangs in October 2024 . (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand enacts new law to combat fraud

Financial institutions, telecom operators and social media platform owners that fail to follow anti-scam measures are liable to a fine of up to 500,000 THB (14,900 USD). Any individual who is responsible for the failure is liable to a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of 100,000 THB.

Thailand moves to ensure tourist safety, protect marine ecosystems

Thailand moves to ensure tourist safety, protect marine ecosystems

As many as 39 support and safety centres have been set up along Thailand's coastlines, aiming to ensure tourist safety and encourage the public to protect marine ecosystems by avoiding littering, refraining from feeding or touching rare marine animals, and respecting natural habitats.

See more

Helicopter carrying eight reported missing in Indonesia

Helicopter carrying eight reported missing in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities are urgently conducting a search and rescue operation after receiving reports that a helicopter carrying eight people suddenly lost contact on the morning of April 16 in West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.

Malaysia’s job losses surge 47% in the first quarter of 2026 (Photo: AFP)

Malaysia's layoffs rise 47% in first quarter

The report, based on figures from Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation, showed layoffs peaked in January with around 10,700 cases before easing to 7,500 in February and 5,900 in March. Despite the slowdown toward the end of the quarter, the total remained significantly higher than the roughly 16,500 layoffs recorded in the same period of 2025.

People take part in the Songkran Festival in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 13, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand's tourism sector enjoys windfall during Songkran Festival 2026

TAT estimated that around 500,000 foreign tourists visited Thailand during the April 11–15 period, generating about 8.1 billion THB, a 2% year-on-year increase. Domestic travel is projected at 5.96 million trips, up 7%, contributing about 22.25 billion THB, an annual rise of 8%.

The sixth ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN) approves the Hanoi Declaration on digital cooperation, reaffirming the bloc’s goals and principles as outlined in the 1967 Bangkok Declaration and the ASEAN Charter. (Photo: ASEAN/Facebook)

ASEAN, Japan envision joint AI development

Amid intensifying US–China rivalry and deepening technological fragmentation, ASEAN and Japan have strong potential to collaborate in developing more inclusive and comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) models, according to an article published on fulcrum.sg on April 14.

At the video conference (Photo: Nation Thailand)

Thailand backs Japan’s push for energy security

At the summit, Japan announced a new initiative to support AZEC member countries through low-interest loans for the procurement of crude oil, refined fuel and essential goods, alongside broader fiscal support measures.