Thai NSC chief visits Malaysia

BANGKOK, September 9 (TNA) - Secretary-General of Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) Thawil Pliensri has left for Malaysia to discuss with his counterpart to arrange for the next round of peace talks with representatives of insurgency movements in the violence-plagued Thai far South. Before his departure, Thawil told journalists on Tuesday that Thai Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has assigned he, himself, and his delegation to arrange for resuming the peace talks with Malaysia, the facilitator of the peace process. Thawil said he would discuss details of the matter before General Prayuth's planned visit to Malaysia and meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in the near future. Thawil stated that the list of negotiators would be clear after the meeting of the Thai and Malaysian prime ministers. and that General Prayuth supports peace-oriented negotiations and is ready to create understanding with all groups; so, Malaysia could propose insurgency groups to the peace negotiations. The NSC chief acknowledged, meanwhile, that the situation in the southernmost Thai region has been improving regarding the number of violent incidents and casualties, but Deputy Army Chief General Udomdet Sitabut, who has been officially appointed the new Thai Army Chief as of October 1, 2014 replacing retiring General Prayuth, has ordered better protection and services for local people, as insurgents usually launch attacks during the time of Buddhist traditions this month. (TNA)