SOUTHERN THAILAND: CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002337 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2016 TAGS: PTER PREL PINS TH SUBJECT: SOUTHERN THAILAND: CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE REF: A) BANGKOK 000258 B) BANGKOK 007014 Classified By: DCM ALEX ARVIZU. REASONS 1.4 (A,B,D) ¶1. (S) Summary. Over the past two years, Post has focused much of our wide ranging assistance and training programs to help the RTG deal with the growing problem in the South. We have been very careful to avoid overt, direct involvement--the RTG sees this as a domestic issue and the insurgency is aimed at the RTG and not the United States. That said, we have developed a range of training and assistance programs aimed at improving RTG performance and countering extremist trends in the three southern provinces. Below is a review of our current programs focused on the South (see refs for expanded details). Septel will outline our proposal for a more aggressive, comprehensive and focused effort to improve Thai performance and conditions in that troubled region. End Summary. REVIEW OF SOUTHERN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS -------------- ¶2. (S) We include below a review of training and assistance provided by RSO, INL/NAS, JUSMAGTHAI, PA, and USAID that are focused on building Thai capabilities to operate in the South and/or improve conditions in that region. Many other agencies at Post are involved in broader capacity building and assistance activities with our Thai partners nation-wide. RSO --- ¶3. (SBU) As administered by the RSO, ATA and Force Protection Detachment training to RTG security elements in 2005-6 includes: --Combating Transnational Terrorism --Explosive Detection Canine/Trainers --Terrorist Crime Scene Investigation --Explosive Detection Canine/Handlers --Cyber Terrorism Incident Response --Police Executive Role in Combating Terrorism --VIP Protection --IED Terrorist Techniques --Force Protection/Officer Safety/Terrorist Methodologies --Surveillance Detection INL/NAS PROGRAMS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) INL funds and manages the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Bangkok, which provides courses throughout the year that improve RTG security forces, capabilities. Thai participation in the international training program is typically limited to four persons per class. This training includes: --Post Blast Investigation --Crime Scene Investigation --Police Executive Role in Combating Terrorism --Combating Domestic and Transnational Terrorism --Supervisory Criminal Investigators Course --Tactical Safety and Survival Course --Personnel and Facility Security ¶5. (SBU) In addition to these courses, NAS is now working with ILEA to develop additional training for RTG participants only, including: --Crime Scene Investigations, 1st Responder Training --Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing --Crime Scene and Lab Forensics ¶6. (SBU) Finally, INL supports a Bangkok-based Resident Legal Advisor from the Department of Justice, who works out of the embassy on issues of legal and procedural reform and anti-corruption measures. JUSMAGTHAI -------------- ¶7. (S) JUSMAGTHAI executes security assistance training activities to enhance Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) CT capabilities in the South, including training in: --counter-insurgency operations --civil affairs and psychological operations --information warfare --Royal Thai Navy (RTN) maritime patrol and amphibious warfare capability --Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aerial surveillance and close air support --military and law enforcement integration of operations and intelligence ¶8. (S) Future assistance is focused on training and conducting counter-insurgency operations, including more comprehensive human rights training for Thai units before they deploy to the South. Since FY04, over 2500 Thai soldiers from 50 different units have been trained in counter-insurgency by U.S. Special Operations Forces. PUBLIC AFFAIRS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The Public Affairs Section supports a number of programs to counter the rise of extremism in the South, including: --American corners in Pattani, Yala and Nakorn Sri Thammarat --The distribution of 1,200 sewing machines to adult women in the South --IV program, 5 of the 28 Thai participants in FY05 are Muslim --Fulbright outreach to the South --U.S. and Embassy Speakers program in the South --Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation programs in the South --Democracy Commission/Small Grants Program; supporting Southern NGOs --Book Donations to southern schools --Publications; provided translated copies of U.S. Bill of Rights, "Muslim Life in America" and other publications to Southern schools --English Language Programs; 150 scholarships for Muslim high school students in South; grants to English teachers in South --Television; worked with national and local stations to broadcast 12 part series on "The Muslim Electoral Vote in America." --Cultural Presentations: post sponsored two American musical acts performing in South USAID -------------- ¶10. (SBU) USAID is also involved in administering several programs (using ESF funds) to combat extremism in the South: --A $500,000 project that will expand and improve objective media coverage of social and political developments. --A second $500,000 program with the Asia Foundation will help build citizen engagement in democratic values and institutions. BOYCE