Thai Military Confident of Local Residents’ Support for Peace Talks with BRN

BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA) - The Thai military is confident that people living in the three southernmost border provinces still support the government to continue holding peace talks with Muslim militant group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), scheduled to be held on October 20 in Malaysia, Defence Ministry Permanent Secretary Gen. Nipat Thonglek said on Sunday. Details of the upcoming ceasefire talks with BRN would be adjusted, said Gen. Nipat, adding that he still could not disclose details to the public. Asked for his comments on a recent statement made by BRN liaison Hassan Taib that he would propose to the Thai government to make those deep Thai southern provinces a “special administrative zone”, Gen. Nipat said Lt. Gen. Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council, who headed the Thai security team in the previous peace talks is the only authorised officer to speak to the press. He said ongoing “talks and not negotiations” with BRN militant group are carefully laid by army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and the Thai government is not at disadvantage as many have thought. However, major opposition Democrat Party-list MP Ong-art Klampaiboon noted that violence in the three violence-plagued provinces -- Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat -- increases every time before ceasefire talks start. Both sides continue to mistrust each other and the BRN militant group always submit fresh demands outside the negotiating table, said Mr. Ong-art. He suggested Thai security officers to map out issues to be discussed before both sides meet on October 20 and Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has to urgently discuss with those security officers attending the upcoming ceasefire talks on issues to be raised at the table. The BRN must also submit their demands or proposals at the negotiating table only, said Mr. Ong-art. (TNA)