Malaysia, Thailand ready to continue resolving violence in Thai south

BANGKOK, Dec 10 (TNA) -- Thailand and Malaysia have expressed readiness to continue resolving violence in deep southern Thailand. The mutual stance was reiterated during a meeting between visiting Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin and Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at the Government House on Friday. Gen Prayut said after the meeting he was confident Malaysia would continue to cooperate with Thailand in every field, especially on resolving the unrest in deep southern Thailand. The Thai government is determined to solve the issue in peaceful manner which would allow every concerned sector to participate in solving the problem, said Gen Prayut. The Malaysian armed forces chief, meanwhile, said the Malaysian military would closely work with Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon in resolving the unrest in Thailand's southern region. Peace negotiations have been held between high-ranking Thai government officials and representatives of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement in Malaysia, aimed at finding solutions to the bloody violence in deep southern provinces, mainly in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The Malaysian government has been acting as ‘facilitator’ in the dialogues. To date, more than 5,000 people have died while many others wounded in incidents which resumed in January 2004. (TNA)