In August 2006, after 22 commercial banks were simultaneously bombed in Yala province, Sonthi announced that he would break with government policy and negotiate with the leaders of the insurgency.
Pada Agustus 2006, setelah 22 bank dibom secara bersamaan di provinsi Yala, Sonthi mengumumkan bahwa ia akan meninggalkan kebijakan pemerintah dan mulai berunding dengan para pemimpin pemberontakan.