Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin appointed Chatchai Bangchuad, the deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), as the head of the government’s peace dialogue panel in the far South, replacing Gen Wanlop Rugsanaoh. The latter’s term concluded after the constitution of the new government.

 

Despite two former Fourth Army chiefs being among the proposed candidates, the 61 year old prime minister preferred a civilian for the role, aiming to enhance the image of the negotiation team and the soldiers, who also participated in the appointment decision.

 

This choice was influenced by the fact that the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu-Patani (BRN) and other insurgent groups in the Far South have frequently expressed discomfort in discussions with government peace teams led by soldiers or Thai military members.

 

Chatchai is not a novice to the peace dialogue panel and security affairs teams, having worked alongside them for several years. His current appointment also leaves open the potential for him to rise to the position of secretary-general of the NSC in the future, as he continues to serve as a civil servant until 2027.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo: Bangkok Post

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-11-27

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Chatchai is not a novice to the peace dialogue panel and security affairs teams

He might in advance confer with the Head of State office as the potential violation of national sovereignty has often been cited by the military as an impediment to resolution.

 

He might also look at the "General Framework for the Resumption of Peace Talks" between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic as a guide. The Philippines and its largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), in March 2014 signed a final peace pact, ending about 45 years of conflict that had killed more than 120,000 people in the country's south.