Former Thai speaker calls for dissolution of security agency Isoc

Former Thai House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has urged the dissolution of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), a powerful security agency involved in addressing the southern border insurgency. Matha, representing the Prachachat Party, argued during a budget scrutiny session that Isoc's duties are redundant and its significant budget is no longer justified by its effectiveness.

Matha questioned the performance of five subcommittees under the government's strategy for the southern provinces, demanding details on their membership, responsibilities, and achievements. He suggested that if these committees had been effective, the long-standing conflict should have shown considerable improvement. "I believe it is time to dissolve Isoc," he stated, questioning the worthiness of billions of baht allocated over many years.

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I believe it is time to dissolve Isoc

Adding to his concerns, Matha pointed to a recent assassination attempt on Prachachat MP for Narathiwat, Kamolsak Leewamoh. Gunmen allegedly used Isoc vehicles, weapons, and personnel in the attack, which left two aides seriously wounded. Matha claimed Isoc's responsibilities expanded significantly after the 2006 military coup, and its funding and personnel should be redirected to agencies already tasked with those functions.

Gen Chaipruak Doungprapat, Isoc secretary-general, defended the agency's necessity, likening its coordinating role to that of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He asserted that Isoc aims to close communication and integration gaps among various security agencies. Doungprapat stated that Isoc is open to criticism and committed to improving its efficiency, while clarifying that budget allocations are strictly for assigned missions, not for overlapping positions.

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It has been allocated billions of baht over many years, and we must ask whether that spending has been worthwhile.