Military to take lead in peace process in Thai deep South

BANGKOK, August 26 (TNA) - Malaysia has proposed that the Thai military take the lead in continual peace talks between Thai authorities and representatives of insurgent groups in the violence-plagued Thai far South. Newly-appointed Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also Thai Army and National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Chief, said on Tuesday that his representative has already discussed the continual peace negotiations in the troubled Thai deep South with Malaysia, the facilitator of the peace process, and Kuala Lumpur appeared to want the Thai military or security authorities to play a leading role in the peace talks. According to Thailand's interim prime minister, Malaysian authorities reasoned that the Thai military or security authorities are directly responsible for bringing peace back to the southernmost Thai region. The 29th Thai prime minister made the remarks during the 12th NCPO meeting held at the Royal Thai Army headquarters in Bangkok. (TNA)