Peace talks in southern provinces will continue: Prayuth

[Lite Beer]

Peace talks in southern provinces will continue: Prayuth
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, July 5 -- Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the council was still working on the process to revive peace talks with the insurgent groups in the southern provinces.

Gen Prayuth said during his weekly televised address late Friday that the process of peace talks must be in accordance with constitutional principles and Thai laws.

Case studies from foreign countries would also be considered. In relation to this, Malaysia would remain the facilitator for high-level discussions.

"I affirm that improvements will be made based on the approval received for cooperation of all parties concerned," he said.

Gen Prayuth said that while Malaysia was applying the “Win Heart and Mind” approach, the NCPO strategy remained the one initiated by His Majesty the King, the principles of “Understand, Reach Out, and Develop."

He added that the NCPO has made organizational restructuring to create harmonization and integration between relevant agencies in three levels.

At the policy level, the Head of the NCPO, as Director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the highest-level official, will be advised by the National Security Council on issues relating to existing policies and future policymaking.

On the level of policy implementation, a committee shall be set up to drive forward the process of tackling problems in the deep south and integrate the related works from relevant agencies and existing mechanisms and management systems.

Members of the committee would include representatives from the Southern Border Provinces Development Strategy Committee, the Committee on Policy and Strategy Implementation for Solving Problems regarding Southern Border Provinces, the ISOC, and the Southern Border Province Administration Center (SBPAC).

On the operational level, ISOC Fourth Region Forward Command will be the agency responsible for implementing and pushing forward the works of all governmental units and agencies and overseeing the overall situation in relevant areas, to ensure the integration and consistency of relevant plans and projects, as well as addressing the needs of people residing in the area. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-07-05

[MobileContent]

Would be great if Prayuth can solve the problem within the next 12 months. I hate to see that if the problem is still not solved in 2 years that he will blame the next government.

Its now his chance for the army to get control of the situation. They have around 12 months to fix the problem and they are the only one in charge.

[NeverSure]

Terrorist groups love peace talks. It buys them time to plan their next attacks.

[noitom]

The headline states "peace talks will continue." We would expect peace talks to continue. What would be the alternative?

[spidermike007]

The problems in the south have never been taken seriously. The five provinces down there used to be part of the Sultanate of Malay. They are native Malaysians. Maybe giving back those five provinces would be a start? Or offering some sort of autonomy? Or beginning to treat them as if they were not bastard cousins? I do not think they feel they are treated well, or taken seriously. I am not saying this condones the extreme behavior that some of the weak minded freaks have wreaked upon the locals or the police. All I am saying is that maybe the degree of hubris that the officials concerned have demonstrated toward the south, is simply not working. When a current policy is not working what do creative people do? Find a new policy perhaps? Imagine such a thing?

Spidermike

Chaiyaphum, Thailand

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[simple1]

Would be great if Prayuth can solve the problem within the next 12 months. I hate to see that if the problem is still not solved in 2 years that he will blame the next government.

Its now his chance for the army to get control of the situation. They have around 12 months to fix the problem and they are the only one in charge.

It would be fantastic if indeed an agreement / resolution can be acheived, but recent history has shown 30 / 40 years is the timeline to finalise peace with tens of thousands of deaths. Hopefully the policy stated in the OP (NCPO strategy remained the one initiated by His Majesty the King, the principles of “Understand, Reach Out, and Develop) will realise a positive outcome.

The military have previously rejected the notion of some form of autonomy. Perhaps this will be re-considered along the lines of BKK & Pattaya self management as a stepping stone to peace.

[tullynagardy]

Gen Prayuth said during his weekly televised address late Friday that the process of peace talks must be in accordance with constitutional principles

What are your constitutional principles though? Afterall you suspended the constitution so how can you have principles from it?

O yea, nearly forgot, that is not criticism, you single handedly brought happiness back to the people and are a beacon of hope in our mortal lives

[mikemac]

The headline states "peace talks will continue." We would expect peace talks to continue. What would be the alternative?

Sending Chalerm down there ?........................hic

[mikemac]

Gen Prayuth said during his weekly televised address late Friday that the process of peace talks must be in accordance with constitutional principles

What are your constitutional principles though? Afterall you suspended the constitution so how can you have principles from it?

O yea, nearly forgot, that is not criticism, you single handedly brought happiness back to the people and are a beacon of hope in our mortal lives

For once I agree with at least part of your comment.

The General has at least brought happiness to some Thais, in the form of rice payments and at least trying to end the corruption. And compared to the previous government he is a beacon of hope.

Here's hoping we can see eye to eye in future comments and opinions.

[tullynagardy]

The General has at least brought happiness to some Thais, in the form of rice payments and at least trying to end the corruption.

For simple people unable to understand the bigger picture He is of course a hero and so glad we agree

[MaiChai]

The problem is those provinces are Malay but Thailand could never forfeit them....