On January 6, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced after a meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee (ESMC) that the emergency decree in Yaha District, Yala Province, would be lifted. This reduces the number of districts under the severe emergency declaration to 17.
Phumtham emphasized the need to review the 20-year-long strategy for addressing unrest in the southern border provinces, questioning its effectiveness. He urged government agencies to reassess their approaches, noting that continuing with the same methods would yield no progress. He also directed a review of strategies to clarify the framework for resolving issues and selecting leadership for peace talks in the southern region.
National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuat was tasked with finalizing a revised strategy and actionable plans by the end of January. Phumtham also encouraged NSC officials to gather input from field operatives to ensure comprehensive solutions. Sensitive information could be submitted directly to him or the NSC Secretary-General.
Phumtham expressed optimism about the involvement of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an advisor to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also chairing ASEAN. He suggested this partnership could foster stability along the Thai-Malaysian border and facilitate economic development in the region.