Thai South peace talks: Doubts over BRN's sincerity

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SPECIAL REPORT
Doubts over BRN's sincerity
Pakorn Puengnetr
The Nation

Violence escalating instead of abating despite peace talks

BANGKOK: -- Many are sceptical as to whether the BRN is sincere about curbing the violence and taking the path of peace, because violence in the region has escalated rather than scaled down as a result of the dialogue.

Peace is nowhere in sight in the deep South despite three rounds of dialogue between the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) liaison office official Hassan Talib and the Thai government delegation, led by Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabutr.

The latest attacks saw three security officials killed and 12 others injured in three bombings on Tuesday.

Statistics from the Front Section of Internal Security Operation Command of the Fourth Region show a clear upward trend of escalating violence. However, security officials believe the situation has eased judging by a reduction in the number of "red villages", that is, those in which southern insurgents stage their struggle.

The number of villages in this category has fallen from 240 to 136, they said.

But, since the three rounds of dialogue, insurgents have stepped up the violence, targeting state officials, police and soldiers.

Group Captain Somkiat Polpra-yoon of the Navy said it was difficult to conclude whether the violence had indeed escalated, because the pattern varied throughout the year. Normally violence intensifies during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, though this year the BRN has agreed in principle to control the violence during that period.

"Even though peace dialogues were held three times, on the first two occasions the BRN did not promise to scale down violence, so we cannot make an evaluation. At the third dialogue, held on June 13, they promised to tone down the violence, so we must evaluate the situation following that.

"Nothing has changed on our part, as we continue to protect the life and property of our citizens and let the policy officials conduct the dialogue," he said.

Somkiat dismissed reports that officials would reduce checks during Ramadan in exchange for less violence. He said he had not received any such order.

"We don't resort to raid or surround villages if there is no situation or attack. We are not allowed to use a large force to surround villages unnecessarily," he added.

Den Tohmena, adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who is in charge of dealing with violence in the deep South, said he believed further peace dialogue with the BRN would be fruitless, because both sides saw things differently.

While the BRN has already issued five demands, the Thai side still thinks that this is just the initial period of getting to know each other, he said.

"Most importantly, some government officials believe we are talking or negotiating with bandits … Besides, the BRN is not [really] willing to join the peace dialogues, but it has been pressured [into doing so] by the Malaysian government under the request of [ex-Thai PM] Thaksin Shinawatra. … I see the situation getting worse," he said.

A former insurgent suspect and ex-BRN member, said he was unsure whether the dialogue would bring about peace, as it was not certain if Hassan is in fact still in the organisation, which has never had a policy to negotiate with Thailand as its ultimate aim is to win independence.

"The fact that attacks occur before and after the dialogues only shows that many disapprove of the process. The government's proposal to stop violence during Ramadan is almost impossible, because insurgents have been taught that staging religious struggle during Ramadan brings them twice the merit," he added.


-- The Nation 2013-06-20

[Staffan]

There is a need for a mentality change for many in the Thai leadership. To qoute from the article: "Den Tohmena, adviser to Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, who is in charge of dealing with violence in the deep South, said he believed further peace dialogue with the BRN would be fruitless, because both sides saw things differently."

Of course both sides see things differently, and presumably very differently! If not, there would be no need for negotiations. Fortunately in South-East Asia - and elsewhere - solutions have been reached in situations where indeed the two sides have seen very, very differently! Painstaking and often long-drawn-out negotiations have played a key role.

The Thai leadership and the Thai population should be ready for possibly a long road ahead, and for chaning some concepts and views! Including not viewing the other side as bandits.