Thai, Malaysian authorities to discuss peace talks preparations in Thai far South

BANGKOK, December 3 (TNA) - Thai and Malaysian authorities will discuss preparations for the new-round peace negotiations between representatives of the Thai government and those of insurgent groups in the violence-plagued Thai far South in mid-December 2014. Chief Adviser to the Royal Thai Army General Aksara Kerdpol, who heads the Thai government's negotiation team, told journalists of the update on Wednesday, elaborating that he will, himself, lead his team to discuss details of the new-round negotiations with Malaysia, the facilitator of the peace process. General Aksara revealed that his negotiation team will have no more than 15 members, including Commanding General of the 4th Army Area Command Lieutenant General Prakan Chonlayuth, as well as representatives from the National Security Council (NSC), the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that he may add more negotiators, if needed. General Aksara said, however, that insurgent groups have not yet informed him of their negotiators and, if informed, he will deploy relevant negotiators. Deputy Defence Minister and Army Chief General Udomdej Sitabutr told reporters that Thai authorities are reviewing five proposals raised by the Barisan Nasional Revolusi (BRN) insurgency movement, acknowledging, however, that many of them appear to be unacceptable. ISOC Spokesman Colonel Banpot Punpian stated, meanwhile, that the peace negotiation process in the Thai deep South has been divided into three phases, including building mutual trust, working out a code of conduct to reduce confrontation and to end violence and finally agreeing on a roadmap on peace restoration in the southernmost Thai region. (TNA)