NSC secretary-general: Thailand's southern peace negotiation to proceed

BANGKOK, September 28 (TNA) - Thawil Pliensri, Secretary-General of Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC), has assured that negotiations to restore peace in southern Thai border provinces would resume, saying Malaysia would continue to be its facilitator and more concerned agencies would be involved. Thawil said that Thai authorities were ready to talk with all groups including the Barisan Revolusion National Malaya Patani (BRN) and Patani United Liberation Organization (PULO). He also pointed out that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had yet to appoint the head of peace negotiators. The NSC only recommended officials and agencies who should join the peace negotiation team. Previously the team had not included all important organizations and it should involve foreign affair, military, intelligence and security authorities. According to the NSC chief, Thailand agreed with Malaysia’s roles as the facilitator of the peace negotiation, he said he had sent NSC staffs to prepare the next round of the negotiation with Malaysian officials on September 25. Thawil said “when the Thai prime minister visits Malaysia as the guest of the neighboring country in ASEAN, there should be clear details on how the negotiation should resume and who will head the negotiation team. We are ready to talk with all groups that have different viewpoints.” “The 3-4 past rounds of negotiations in Malaysia in 2013 were open and were recognized by people inside and outside the region but there were many weak points, especially the lack of connection with policy-making units and participation by main organizations. This time weak points will be eliminated and guidelines will be carefully planned. It will begin with the creation of mutual trust. When there is mutual trust, it will lead to a reduction or end of violence. Then there will be joint efforts for perfect solutions,” Thawil said. (TNA)