Wan calls for end to Isoc operations

Former House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has called for the dissolution of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), arguing that its duties overlap with other state agencies and its performance does not justify its substantial budget. Speaking during the scrutiny of the budget allocated to the National Security Council (NSC), Mr Wan, who is a member of a special committee tasked with examining the Fiscal Year 2027 budget bill worth 3.788 trillion baht, requested detailed information on five subcommittees established under the government's strategy to address the southern border insurgency. He sought clarity on their membership, responsibilities, and past achievements to ascertain their continued effectiveness. These five panels are responsible for integrated planning and coordination, proposing decentralisation and governance models suitable for the southern border provinces, education policy in the region, international cooperation to support peace efforts, and promoting multiculturalism in the deep South. Mr Wan, representing the Prachachat Party, contended that if these committees had been operating effectively, the protracted conflict in the southern border provinces should have seen considerable easing. Turning his attention to Isoc, he stated that the agency's duties largely duplicate those of existing government bodies and questioned the rationale for its continued existence. "I believe it is time to dissolve Isoc," he said. "It has been allocated billions of baht over many years, and we must ask whether that spending has been worthwhile." He also voiced concerns regarding Isoc's effectiveness, citing the recent shooting incident involving Prachachat MP for Narathiwat, Kamolsak Leewamoh. The MP narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in March when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle outside his home in Bacho district, leaving his two aides seriously wounded. Allegations suggest Isoc vehicles, weapons, and personnel may have been involved. Mr Wan claimed that Isoc's responsibilities were limited before the 2006 military coup, after which its duties were expanded and its budget significantly increased. He argued that the funding and personnel should instead be redirected to agencies already tasked with those functions. Veera Theerapat, an advisor to the special committee, also proposed dissolving the Strategic Transformation Office, asserting that its functions overlap with other agencies and that it lacks distinct responsibilities. In defence of Isoc, Gen Chaipruak Doungprapat, Isoc secretary-general, stated that the agency's role is comparable to the US Department of Homeland Security, which coordinates multiple security agencies to address communication and integration gaps. He affirmed Isoc's willingness to accept criticism and enhance its efficiency. Regarding allegations of duplicate personnel payments, he clarified that budget allocations are strictly for officers assigned to specific missions, not for overlapping positions.