Army eyes withdrawing security troops from far South by 2027Fourth Region Army commander Lt Gen Santi SakuntanakThe security authorities have outlined a plan for the progressive reduction of military presence and lifting of the emergency in the far South in four years. Fourth Region Army commander Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak said on Saturday a gradual withdrawal of troops is already underway in the region. Lt Gen Santi said that in the early years of unrest from 2004 to 2010, the military's main mission was to contain security woes and fight insurgent attacks by deploying extra troops mobilised from the First, Second and Third Army regions to assist the Fourth Army region stationed in the far South. Since 2011, Lt Gen Santi said a 1,700-strong combined force made up of non-military officials and police were assigned to safety protection duties in 37 districts of the far South. With more police and defence officials moving in, the soldiers were gradually being withdrawn and returned to their army regions.
