Thailand resuming peace talks with insurgents

[webfact]

Thailand resuming peace talks with insurgents
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 12 -- Thailand and Malaysia have agreed on resuming peace talks between the Thai authorities and insurgent groups operating in deep southern Thailand where violence has renewed slightly more than a decade ago, said Thawil Pliensri, secretary-general of National Security Council (NSC).

Mr Thawil said he had met his Malaysian counterpart Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday regarding possible Malaysian government-assisted Thai-insurgent peace talks as advised by Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, also leader of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Mr Thawil said he had informed the Malaysian side that Gen Prayuth and his new government wanted to resolve violence in deep southern Thailand through peaceful means and wanted to see peace talks resumed.

Peace negotiations were held between high-ranking Thai government officials during the previous ousted government and representatives of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement in Malaysia, aimed at finding solutions to the bloody violence in deep southern provinces, mainly in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.

The Malaysian government acted as ‘facilitator, but the talks were suspended later due to political unrest in Thailand while critics said the peace talks were held with the “wrong” representatives of the separatist movement.

To date, more than 5,000 people have died while many others wounded in incidents which resumed in January 2004.

Mr Thawil told journalists that the Thai government still allowed Malaysia to act as “facilitator” but had not yet appointed a leader of the Thai delegates.

Both sides had agreed that the NSC offices of the two countries would be the only channel for communication until peace talks started, he said.

Thailand and Malaysia agreed with the idea and would inform their government leaders while prime ministers of the two countries would meet in the “near future”, said Mr Thawil.

Meanwhile, Gen Prayuth said early Friday before attending a National Legislative Assembly meeting that he planned to visit the three violence-plagued southern provinces but has not yet fixed the date. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-12

[Thaiready]

The Thai Government will NEVER learn.......there is NO peace to be had with these animals.

[FangFerang]

According to world sources, part of the problem in the Thai South is the same problem the Filipino government has with the island of Mindanao. In the Philippines, the island has a Muslim majority, but somehow -- a miracle occurs -- a Catholic is always elected to government. In the Thai South, a Muslim majority, a right-wing Democrat Buddhist is always elected or appointed to office. As a matter of fact, the Thai South is considered a Democrat "stronghold". Both countries, of course, have just enough token Muslim electors to make it look legitimate.

So.... one red side buys elections, and the other yellow side forces them (or prevents them farther North if they can't win)......informed people know what is going on.

Amazing Thailand.

Edited September 12, 2014 by FangFerang

[rickirs]

Good to see that the Junta has reversed itself on its strategy to hold talks with BRN without Malaysia participation. But even Malaysia cannot change the Thai military history of resorting to ultimatums and adamant preservation of Thai sovereignty over Malay Thais in the South. So the Junta will get the parties to the peace table but it remains to be seen if will it change its approach to resolution enough to keep the parties at the peace table.

Congradulations to Thawil for finally accomplishing something in the peace process - serving as a messenger.

[The stuttering parrot]

Try as they might but fanatics don't negotiate.

They brainwash the young and the poor with their ideals and promises of paradise in the afterlife and how they will rule the world with their own slant on what is a peaceful religion.

Ever seen an old suicide bomber?

I haven't !

[surangw]

invite the terrs to one place for talks and zap 'em

[Alwyn]

"Mr Thawil told journalists that the Thai government still allowed Malaysia to act as “facilitator” but had not yet appointed a leader of the Thai delegates" Allowed Malaysia? Didn't we read here just a week or so ago that Thailand had ASKED Malaysia to run the show? Strange, is this an effort at gaining face or something?

[baboon]

invite the terrs to one place for talks and zap 'em

Yes, not one of them would see that coming. They would never have noticed the events in Bangkok a few weeks ago when battling factions were invited to sit down and talk.

[simple1]

invite the terrs to one place for talks and zap 'em

Yes, not one of them would see that coming. They would never have noticed the events in Bangkok a few weeks ago when battling factions were invited to sit down and talk.

Some years back an insurgent leader was invited for talks in Malaysia, he was arrested by the Malaysians & shipped to Thailand. Allegedly one of the reasons why the political leadership will not attend face to face meetings. In anycase it is stated the political leadership have no authority over the armed militants.

NCOP has announced will not even discuss some form of autonomy / self goverance, unsure what the NCOP expect to acheive with any 'talks'

[FangFerang]

"To date, more than 5,000 people have died ":

The number is closer to twenty thousand, both sides. 15 thousand are attributed to "random violence" and "standard crime".

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