NSC to negotiate with BRN despite continual violence

BANGKOK, April 23 (TNA) - Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) has confirmed that peace negotiations with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) insurgency movement, representing insurgents in the country's deep South, will continue although the BRN cannot influence all insurgent groups. NSC Secretary-General Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabutr assessed on Tuesday that violent incidents in the Thai far South could continue until the second round of peace negotiations between the Thai government, through the NSC, and the insurgent side, explaining that there are many movements in the southernmost Thai region including insurgents, drug traffickers and influential groups which have created violent incidents for their vested interest. Lieutenant General Paradorn acknowledged that violent incidents are more often, but the degree of their violence is declining and their areas are limited. The NSC chief suggested that authorities take more precautions in the troubled Thai far South, including Bacho district of Narathiwat province, as insurgents have applied new techniques to make bombs to hurt local security officers. The NSC chief pointed out that young insurgents-- who actually want to join the peace negotiations-- were behind a large number of banners opposing the peace talks in the southernmost Thai region, saying that he welcomes their participation in the ongoing peace process. According to the NSC secretary-general, the second round of the negotiations will address the reduction of violent incidents in the southern border Thai region and a few more insurgent groups with different stances want to join the peace talks. (TNA)