The recent surge of violence in the South has spurred the government to once again review its strategy of how to deal with violence in the strife-torn area.

After a meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and 17 ministries and more than 60 agencies last week what emerged was a new southern command structure headed by Deputy PM Yutthasak Sasiprapa.

But critics said the restructure is merely window dressing to give the appearance of civilian authority over an area traditionally controlled under the military.