South calm after BRN statement

[Lite Beer]

South calm after BRN statement
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre deputy secretary-general Piya Kijthavorn said yesterday that a decrease in violence over the past four days of Ramadan in the Muslim-dominated southern provinces, was a good sign for future peace negotiations.

The Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), which is believed to have authority over some insurgent groups in Thailand's deep South, has issued a statement announcing a break in violence during the 40-day Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Piya said the restive South normally witnessed intensified violence during Ramadan, with an average death of two people per day. However, the situation had been relatively calm this year, he said. "Whether the BRN can achieve what they have announced [in their statement] will become clear after 40 days," he said. "Whatever the case, we will still have to try and resolve these local conflicts and find ways to achieve peace sustainably."

Human rights lawyer Angkhana Neelapaijit, wife of missing lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, said she was sceptical of the BRN's announcement to curb violence. It was not credible, she said, because neither side had signed an agreement with representatives from both parties. She added that a former Malaysian official who played the role of a facilitator, not a mediator, also made the announcement.

Angkhana also urged the government to find a long-term solution to bring about peace and urged it to appoint a committee that could investigate cases of violence and establish the truth. This would prevent future miscarriages of justice in the conflict, she said.

-- The Nation 2013-07-14

[tominbkk]

Do they really expect the insurgents to play along? And why should non Muslims care about the holiday when the insurgents hold no value for a non muslim's life?

[Halion]

Do they really expect the insurgents to play along? And why should non Muslims care about the holiday when the insurgents hold no value for a non muslim's life?

Well said and furthermore this attempt at a so called reduction in hostility is a red herring as during Ramadan it is common and traditional for families to spend time together therefore making suspected insurgents (terrorists) much easier to locate. The ineptitude shown by both the Thai administration and military is beyond belief. Perhaps the BRN could be approached to reciprocate during national Buddhist holidays in order to reduce the violence, death and destruction even further.

[tomross46]

Ramadan is just starting. I wonder if the terrorist have completed the Hajj?

[MobileContent]

I believe it is a good sign for the start. Three days into Ramadan and things looks good.