PM confirms southern peace talk continues despite new Malaysian government

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the election that led to the new prime minister of Malaysia would not have an impact on southern peace negotiation because Malaysia only facilitate the venues for peace talks. “Peace negotiation results from a government policy. It will proceed despite changes of governments because it concerns security of not only Thailand but also the region,” Gen Prayut said. Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minsiter Prawit Wongsuwon said that Malaysia might change its representatives concerning the southern peace negotiation and he would wait for the new Malaysian government to be formed. Gen Prawit acknowledged that Malaysia sought to delay its facilitation of southern peace negotiation. He said that would not change the Thai government’s stance for the negotiation. He did not answer reporters’ question if the new Malaysian government would have any impact on an earlier plan with southern insurgency movements to keep Cho Airong district of Narathiwat as a safety zone to prove cooperation on southern peace negotiation. (TNA)