Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan confirmed yesterday that the appointments would be made this week but refused to reveal who would get the most important posts.

Unrest has raged on in Thailand’s southernmost region for more than 10 years already, with bloody incidents erupting almost on a daily basis. Despite much effort, the government has been unable to end the ongoing violence.

The appointment of “forward ministers” aims to proactively address the insurgency.

An informed source disclosed yesterday that Deputy Education Minister General Surachet Chaiwong and Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr had a good chance of becoming forward ministers for the area.

The source noted that Surachet has been active in the South all along, engaging in both |educational work and mass relationships.

“Locals have trusted him,” the source said.

According to this source, Udomdej is also a solid candidate but concerns linger as to whether he will be able to work well with Lt General Piyawat Nakwanich, a younger brother of current Army chief Teerachai Nakwanich. Udomdej and Teerachai are not on very good terms. Starting from October 1, Piyawat will serve as the chief of the Fourth Army Area, which oversees the south.

“Both Prayut and Prawit have emphasised that forward ministers must be able to coordinate efficiently with agencies in the deep South,” the source said.

When asked about his possible appointment as a forward minister, Udomdej said he did not know whether he was chosen for the post but he was ready to respond to Prawit’s order.

Asked whether the forward ministers were some Cabinet ministers now handling national security issues, Prawit said all Cabinet members had helped with security affairs.

Meanwhile, Army spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree urged security officials and people in the deep South to watch out for bombs put in coconut shells. “We have had warnings that perpetrators of violence are turning to coconut bombs.”