More insurgency groups in Thai far South to join next-round peace talks

BANGKOK, November 6 (TNA) - Apart from the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency movement, other insurgency groups in the Thai far South will join next-round peace talks with Thai authorities, aimed to end violent unrest in the Thai deep South. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Police General Pracha Promnok told reporters of the development on Wednesday, after meeting with Datuk Seri Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim, the Malaysian negotiation facilitator, at Bangkok's Government House. Police General Pracha acknowledged that the next round of peace talks, expected to be held by next month, will see BRN, PULO and BIPP, with the PULO group to have two more seats, but a discussion with the RKK group has not happened. The Thai deputy premier foresaw that the RKK group's cooperation is expected in the future and the signing of a joint intent document should take place in the next round of the ongoing peace negotiations. Also present at the meeting earlier in the day include other Thai security authorities, namely Permanent Secretary for Defence General Nipat Thonglek and National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabutr. The deputy prime ministr said the meeting discussed principles for the peace talks and future actions, as the facilitator will include more parties in the peace process. According to the NSC chief, the inclusion of more negotiating parties will create balance and, as the PULO group has not yet appointed its representatives in the peace process, the next round of peace talks should be postponed from this month to next month. The NSC secretary-general expressed his confidence that the ongoing peace negotiations will allow Thai authorities to see a clearer picture of causes and insurgency groups behind persistent violence in southernmost Thai region. (TNA)