Ministers review surrender incentives

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Talks have begun about a proposed surrender by dozens of insurgents in the far South, with the Justice Minister studying how much the sentences for those who have committed crimes and acts of terror could be reduced, Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha said yesterday.

Two committees have been set up to screen which individual insurgents are qualified to benefit from the surrender, allowed under Article 21 of the Security Act. Those found to have committed crimes may have sentences reduced.

The process is likely to be delayed - as many people fear - "because there are several delicate legal issues involved," Prayuth said.

Prayuth welcomed news that the Democrat Party had accepted a government invitation to take part in the renewed peace and reconciliation process aimed at ending violence in the deep South.

A joint meeting involving all agencies and parties is to be held today under the coordination of the newly-established Coordination Centre on Enforcing Policies and Strategies on Solving Problems in the deep South.

Prayuth called on the media to "help facilitate" the process, through understanding and unbiased coverage.

He said attacks had become routine and did not mean the peace process had failed.

"Whether the situation improves depends on how you report incidents and editorialise on the situation.

"One day a report says the process has proved successful. But the following day says it has failed after one ambush incident," he said, as an example.

Prayuth said the peace process was a sign of improvement and would involve no cover-ups, as speculated by the public and the media.

"No-one can force them to come out, to turn in to police or go to jail. They want to surrender on a regular basis, through mediation by their relatives.

"There has been no direct negotiation between authorities and insurgents, who never admit that they are [talking]. Any surrender must be through mediation by their relatives," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha said only three insurgents, out of the 93 wanting to surrender, were restricted from fully enjoying a conditional pardon under Article 21.

Some had violated conditions under security laws and a few had served sentences.

The 93 wanted a guarantee of safety from reprisal by active insurgents, as well as from harassment by security officials, as one of the three preconditions for their surrender, he added.

Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said there would be two parts to the talks in today's meeting: on the security aspect with officials and government agencies, and on political issues which would involve only politicians and be behind closed doors.

The general was speaking after presiding over a shootout drill conducted as paintball games, held at the 11th Infantry Regiment in northern Bangkok. He said paintball games were useful training as two opposing forces could face up against each other, unlike live fire exercises which could involve only one side.

-- The Nation 2012-09-18

Come in spinner - now we have you suckers - we will change the rules whilst the ball is in play - Thai style all over.