This research investigated factors and successful operation guidelines of East Timor in declaring independence from Indonesia in comparison with factors of terrorist groups in the four restive provinces in southern Thailand. It was found that causes and seven factors, namely: historical power, geographical conditions, economy, politics, psychological society, internal support, and external support, influenced the need for independence. However, the violence level was different due to internal conditions and external support. When a comparison of political operation guidelines and policies between the Indonesian and Thai governments to solve separatist insurgencies, in the two regions, was conducted, it was revealed that the policies and operations of the Thai government were successful, reducing the levels of violence of the insurgency that threatened national security. This was due to the fact that the separatists were merely terrorists, causing disturbances in their respective areas (p. 62).