Thailand may reduce troop levels in south: deputy PM

[webfact]

Thailand may reduce troop levels in south: deputy PM

BANGKOK, July 16, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand is considering reducing the number of troops in its insurgency-riven south if a lull in violence holds, the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday.

"We won't withdraw troops from the area but we can reduce the number and focus on development rather than fighting," Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog, who oversees national security, told reporters.

His remarks came after the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Muslim rebel group agreed to curb violence during Ramadan.

So far, in the first week of the holy month "there was very little violence and no loss of life, only injuries," he added.

"We can say that the BRN is sincere to a certain extent based on its behaviour," he said.

Nearly a decade of conflict in Thailand's southernmost provinces has left more than 5,700 people dead.

Thailand has about 60,000 troops stationed in the south.

Despite four rounds of peace talks since March, continued bloodshed before Ramadan had raised questions about how much control rebel leaders have over radical militants.

In one of the deadliest attacks, eight soldiers were killed when a roadside blast ripped through their truck last month.

But now the situation "is moving in a positive direction," said Thailand's National Security Council chief and lead peace negotiator Paradorn Pattanatabut.

According to Malaysia, which is hosting peace talks, Thai security forces pledged to avoid aggressive action for a 40-day period from July 10 to August 18, while the BRN agreed to refrain from violent attacks.

Under the plan, Thai authorities have removed a number of roadblocks and the military has withdrawn its personnel from some villages in a bid to ease tension.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-07-16

[NongKhaiKid]

Just seen a news item of a meeting between the military top brass, the Dep. Defence Minister and the Permanent Secy. at the ministry to discuss military displeasure at an inadequate budget. Needless to say the Defence Minister was absent.

Two ways of annoying the boys, ok they can live without her being there but " show us the money " !

[Bellweather]

Just seen a news item of a meeting between the military top brass, the Dep. Defence Minister and the Permanent Secy. at the ministry to discuss military displeasure at an inadequate budget. Needless to say the Defence Minister was absent.

Two ways of annoying the boys, ok they can live without her being there but " show us the money " !

What's the point of her taking on more work to dodge ? I thought her presence in the ministry was to improve and speed up the decision making process

[Rimmer]

One post advocating an extreme solution to the problem removed

[Thai at Heart]

We won't withdraw troops from the area but we can reduce the number

Surely shome mishtake, ....

[Payboy]

His remarks came after the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Muslim rebel group agreed to curb violence during Ramadan.

So far, in the first week of the holy month "there was very little violence and no loss of life, only injuries," he added.

Gotta love that step-by-step de-escalation process. How does it go? Loss of life, to amputations, to largish wounds, to bruises and then peace?

[OzMick]

All's quiet on the southern front, for the last few days. Must be time for a withdrawal of all out best troops.

Thainess and military genius seem to be incompatible terms.

[thhMan]

Que ???

I dont get it... are they killing their own soldiers off? and not replacing them?

And this bit about development... hehehe.. funny one... Obviously they have brain freeze and forgot they are in Thailand

[SouthernMan3]

Thailand may reduce troop levels in south: deputy PM

Hell, might as well give it to Malaysia if we're not willing to defend our own land.

Damn, let's just do the same with our land near Cambodia, Burma and Laos.

Jeez Ying, you don't care about Thai land or people anyway as long as you have enough cash to party and go shopping..............

[Bagwan]

SATIRE

So the military want more money and one economy they have come with is to reduced the troops stationed down South. They can save money by leaving them there thus saving transportation costs. The terrorists will reduce the number for them.

[Bagwan]

SATIRE

So the military want more money and one economy they have come with is to reduced the troops stationed down South. They can save money by leaving them there thus saving transportation costs. The terrorists will reduce the number for them.