Thai NSC to resume peace talks with insurgent representatives

BANGKOK, September 3 (TNA) - The National Security Council (NSC) will soon resume peace talks with representatives of insurgent groups in the violence-plagued Thai far South in Malaysia. Newly-appointed Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdet Sitabutr, who is also Deputy Army Chief and Secretary-General to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), told journalists on Wednesday that the NSC chief will seek a permission from Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also Army and NCPO Chief, within a few days to resume a new round of peace talks with representatives of the insurgent groups in the Thai deep South, led by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), in neighboring Malaysia. General Udomdet, in his capacity as the chair of a government committee on solutions to the troubled southernmost Thai region, revealed that each side will have five representatives at the upcoming negotiating table, as set earlier, and the Thai government's side will comprise only concerned and necessary persons. General Udomdet noted that he is at the upper-level facilitation working group and will not join the upcoming trip to Malaysia. According to the Thai deputy defence minister, authorities are trying to control the situation and to improve the justice system in the country's southern border region. Asked about the possible replacement of the 4th Army Area commander, the deputy defence minister acknowledged what is more important than figures is a work system and the new Thai premier and army chief has laid down a good work system, while personnel transfers are the responsibility of commanders. (TNA)